A pioneering scheme which actively encourages older people to keep healthy has scooped a UK-wide National Lottery award.

Staff and residents involved in bpha’s Fit@Sixty project rubbed shoulders with the stars at the Good Causes awards ceremony which was broadcast live on Saturday (15.09.07). Those attending included Elaine Paige, Tess Daly, Craig Doyle, Mel Sykes, Demot Murnaghan and Gary Lineker.

The project, which provides leisure activities for older residents across the town, beat more than 640 entries to be named Best Sports Project. As one of seven winners from across the UK it will now receive a £2,000 cash prize.

Now in their fourth successful year, The National Lottery Awards recognise the difference that Lottery–funded projects make to local communities and celebrate the achievements of the people behind them. The awards are voted for by members of the public, this year a record number of votes were cast - over 150,000.

Fit@Sixty was started by warden Janet Cook five years ago as a single class at a bpha sheltered scheme.

Today it offers around 17 classes each week, giving up to 130 older residents the chance to try new skills and take part in activities such as line dancing, chair-based exercise, curling, bowls and arts and crafts.

Many of the participants are in their 70s and 80s and this year some of the residents have taken on the running and marketing of the scheme themselves, by setting up a dedicated committee.

Liz Robertson from bpha, said: “This was a public award so we would like to thank everyone who voted for the project.

“The members of Fit@Sixty certainly did their bit to raise awareness, including demonstrations in Bedford town centre, and we’re delighted that all of the hard work paid off.”

Some of the prize money will be used to expand the project’s new swim and gym activities, which is soon to be offered to older people.