Yoga Classes Help Kids Stretch Body & Mind

A yoga programme is proving a big hit with Wirral children thanks to funding from the Liverpool based health insurer Medicash.

The Medicash Good Health Fund kick-started the classes at Brookdale Pre-School in Greasby, Wirral with a £1,000 cash boost. The money was used to buy specialist equipment and train staff to teach two to five year olds the ancient art of yoga.

The Medicash Good Health Fund was created in 2006 after the insurer donated £25,000 to the Community Foundation for Merseyside in the form of an endowment fund. Designed to help secure the future of community groups across Merseyside, the fund now totals over £45,000.

Brookdale Pre-School manager Ruth Doig said: "We are so grateful to Medicash for making our wish of delivering weekly yoga classes to our children possible.  Our classes combine yoga with storytelling and nursery rhymes which not only helps children develop their physical stamina and flexibility but also fuels their imagination. Yoga is proven to enable children to relax and improve their concentration, learning and behaviour."

Marketing Manager Andy Abernethy said: "We are delighted that the yoga classes are continuing to be such a huge success and it's clear all the children are reaping the benefits. Brookdale Pre-School is setting a great example in employing innovative practices in the classroom which not only enhance a child's education but their wellbeing too."

In addition to the Medicash Good Health Fund managed by Community Foundation for Merseyside, Medicash also manages its own charitable trust and last year alone donated over £150,000 to NHS and health related charities. Medicash was one of the first organisations to sign up to Claire's House 'Adopt a Nurse' campaign and continues to support Mencap, The North West Air Ambulance amongst many others. The Tranmere Community Project also recently benefitted from a £20,000 cash donation from the Medicash Charitable Trust.