Health experts will descend on Bradford Mela on Sunday to raise awareness of organ donation, heart disease and diabetes.

The transplant team at Bradford Royal Infirmary, made up of transplant champion Dr Paul Cramp, transplant co-ordinator Jayne Fisher and consultant Dr Jahangir Rehman, will host a stall at the event for the first time.

Visitors will be able to learn more about organ donation and the importance of being on the organ donor register.

The stall will also include face painting and balloons for children, as well as henna tattoos for adults.

The nation’s heart charity, the British Heart Foundation (BHF), will be inviting visitors to get a healthier heart while having fun.

Qaim Zaidi, ethnic strategy co-ordinator at the BHF said: “Visit our stand this weekend to get free lifestyle help and information from BHF experts – just a few small changes can make a big difference.”

For children there will be physical activity challenges and face painting. Adults will be able to enter a competition to win an iPod and take part in a food game.

Visitors can join a range of free BHF clubs at the mela including the Artie Beat Club for children between seven and 11, and the free Heart Matters service for adults, which is tailor-made to support the specific needs of those who sign-up, including people who wish to reduce their blood pressure or quit smoking.

NHS Bradford and Airedale’s community development team will be at the Mela from 10.30am to 4pm, to help make people aware of diabetes and know the risks related to the condition.

There will be a mix of health checks, information giving and awareness raising around symptoms, risk factors and self-management of the condition.

More than 32,000 people in the Bradford district have been diagnosed with diabetes. An estimated further 7,400 are unaware they have diabetes.

Mehzar Iqbal, community development worker for NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “Diabetes can’t be cured but it can be controlled, however, it can only be controlled if it is detected.

“Early recognition of the condition is an important way of protecting against serious complications later in life.

“These events are a great way to encourage people to reduce the risk of developing diabetes through taking more exercise and learning more about the nutritional value of food.”

  • Read the full story Friday’s T&A