Older GHA tenants training for the Olympics
Published by Glasgow Housing Association on Mon 13 Aug 12 @ 10:22
GHA's oldest tenant is going for gold at Glasgow's Olympic Games for older people.
Bill Lawson, 101, has joined hundreds of tenants in sheltered housing complexes across the city taking part in GHA's Summer of Sport.
The grand finals of the competition - which includes events such as giant jenga, carpet bowls, giant Frisbee and indoor golf - will be held at the SECC on Thursday 16 August as part of the World Congress on Active Ageing.
The activities are a way of celebrating the London Olympics and the World Congress on Active Ageing.
Sprightly Bill Lawson, a tenant at Gallowhill Sheltered Housing Complex in Carmunnock, loves taking part.
Bill, a former member of the Springburn Harriers who puts his longevity down to a bottle of Belhaven Best every day, said: "It's nice to see everyone getting involved.
"It's all good because it helps us keep active.
"I could try the 100m - but they might have to give me a 99-metre start!"
Fellow tenant Tom Malone, 90, added: "It's been great fun. It's nice to see everyone participating and it helps keep people active as much as possible.
"I'm not very good at the putting, though - carpet bowls is more my thing."
GHA's partners in the programme, Glasgow Life, have been providing coaching and equipment for the athletes - with competition between sheltered housing complexes hotting up throughout July.
As well as the physical activity, there's a chance for tenants to give their brains a workout with a quiz, table games and an art competition.
Margaret Moore, GHA's Assistant Director of Community Partnership, said: "The Games are proving popular in the complexes and tenants are really enjoying themselves.
"At the same time it is really bringing people together and increasing their physical activity."
