Ireland’s first tractor football competition is set to take place at the 85th National Ploughing Championships on 20-22 September 2016. The Offaly v Laois three-a side-teams will battle it out in WR Shaw New Holland tractors, trying to get the massive 7ft football through the posts.
The event is being held to raise awareness of heart failure, which currently affects 90,000 people in Ireland.
National Ploughing Association managing director Anna May McHugh feels that many farmers could be accused of looking after their tractors more than their hearts. Most farmers keep animals and machinery in top-class condition and neglect their own service intervals.
The Know Heart Failure Now campaign, supported by the Heart Failure Patient Alliance and Novartis Ireland, will be launched at the Ploughing.
The campaign’s stand in the Health and Wellness tent will invite visitors to speak to healthcare professionals about the symptoms and risk factors of heart failure. Free tests will also be provided.
Billy Shaw of WR Shaw, owner of the participating New Holland tractors, said: “Our Offaly v Laois branded New Holland tractors and expert drivers will be doing their bit to increase awareness for heart failure. My mother sadly passed away from a heart condition so I have a very personal link to this campaign. I encourage everyone attending the Ploughing to become a tractor footie supporter in aid of heart failure awareness.”
The heart is simply a pump, just like any pump around the farm. When the efficiency of the pump drops, heart failure can develop, causing symptoms of tiredness and breathlessness when doing normal tasks and swelling of the feet or ankle. It is a serious but manageable condition that affects approximately 90,000 people in Ireland, with up to one in five people at risk of developing it at some point during their lifetime. One in three people in Ireland mistake heart failure symptoms for signs of aging, and one in four wait a week or more to seek medical advice when experiencing these serious symptoms.
However, improved understanding of heart failure, early diagnosis, and new treatments can allow patients to live longer, feel better and be more active. The Know Heart Failure Now campaign encourages those at risk of heart failure who have more than one of the symptoms to speak to their healthcare professional and request a heart examination.
Professor Ken McDonald, consultant cardiologist and national clinical lead for Heart Failure, said: “The term Heart Failure can be frightening and is often misunderstood. By bringing attention to this condition, the Know Heart Failure Now campaign aims to increase the public’s awareness and understanding of heart failure in order to help people take action earlier and thereby improve their outlook.”
Loretto Callaghan, managing director, Novartis Ireland Ltd, said: “Farming is an incredibly tough, physically demanding industry and personal health can often take a backseat due to little free time. We want to make sure the farming community prioritises their heart health as with early diagnosis and treatment, heart failure patients can feel better and live longer, more active, productive lives.”
Everyone attending the Ploughing can get involved in the Know Heart Failure Now campaign. Here’s how:
Experience the Laois v Offaly Heart Failure Tractor Football Tournament at the Ploughing.Visit the Know Heart Failure Now stand in the Health and Wellness tent to get more information on Heart Failure and free tests for people who may be at risk.Support the Know Heart Failure Now campaign by taking selfies at selected events and share it on social media #heartfailure. Read more
Full coverage: Ploughing 2016
Ireland’s first tractor football competition is set to take place at the 85th National Ploughing Championships on 20-22 September 2016. The Offaly v Laois three-a side-teams will battle it out in WR Shaw New Holland tractors, trying to get the massive 7ft football through the posts.
The event is being held to raise awareness of heart failure, which currently affects 90,000 people in Ireland.
National Ploughing Association managing director Anna May McHugh feels that many farmers could be accused of looking after their tractors more than their hearts. Most farmers keep animals and machinery in top-class condition and neglect their own service intervals.
The Know Heart Failure Now campaign, supported by the Heart Failure Patient Alliance and Novartis Ireland, will be launched at the Ploughing.
The campaign’s stand in the Health and Wellness tent will invite visitors to speak to healthcare professionals about the symptoms and risk factors of heart failure. Free tests will also be provided.
Billy Shaw of WR Shaw, owner of the participating New Holland tractors, said: “Our Offaly v Laois branded New Holland tractors and expert drivers will be doing their bit to increase awareness for heart failure. My mother sadly passed away from a heart condition so I have a very personal link to this campaign. I encourage everyone attending the Ploughing to become a tractor footie supporter in aid of heart failure awareness.”
The heart is simply a pump, just like any pump around the farm. When the efficiency of the pump drops, heart failure can develop, causing symptoms of tiredness and breathlessness when doing normal tasks and swelling of the feet or ankle. It is a serious but manageable condition that affects approximately 90,000 people in Ireland, with up to one in five people at risk of developing it at some point during their lifetime. One in three people in Ireland mistake heart failure symptoms for signs of aging, and one in four wait a week or more to seek medical advice when experiencing these serious symptoms.
However, improved understanding of heart failure, early diagnosis, and new treatments can allow patients to live longer, feel better and be more active. The Know Heart Failure Now campaign encourages those at risk of heart failure who have more than one of the symptoms to speak to their healthcare professional and request a heart examination.
Professor Ken McDonald, consultant cardiologist and national clinical lead for Heart Failure, said: “The term Heart Failure can be frightening and is often misunderstood. By bringing attention to this condition, the Know Heart Failure Now campaign aims to increase the public’s awareness and understanding of heart failure in order to help people take action earlier and thereby improve their outlook.”
Loretto Callaghan, managing director, Novartis Ireland Ltd, said: “Farming is an incredibly tough, physically demanding industry and personal health can often take a backseat due to little free time. We want to make sure the farming community prioritises their heart health as with early diagnosis and treatment, heart failure patients can feel better and live longer, more active, productive lives.”
Everyone attending the Ploughing can get involved in the Know Heart Failure Now campaign. Here’s how:
Experience the Laois v Offaly Heart Failure Tractor Football Tournament at the Ploughing.Visit the Know Heart Failure Now stand in the Health and Wellness tent to get more information on Heart Failure and free tests for people who may be at risk.Support the Know Heart Failure Now campaign by taking selfies at selected events and share it on social media #heartfailure. Read more
Full coverage: Ploughing 2016
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