I CAN – that’s the message to Gold Coasters who want to feel active and healthy.Mayor Tom Tate, together with Titans player Jai Arrow and Suns player Sam Collins, joined in the pilates class at Carrara to launch the City’s new Active & Healthy program.“This year, our focus is on empowering people to say I CAN. With more than 170 free or low cost activities on offer across the city each week, it’s easy to get motivated and get moving,” he said.“This year’s theme - I CAN - is all about being inspired and empowered to live a healthy lifestyle and what better inspiration than our football players – our city’s active and healthy role models.“Around a quarter of the city’s population already participates in the program but lack of regular physical activity is still a massive issue. Our goal is to get more of the City doing 30 mins of moderate physical activity a few days a week.“Increasing sports participation at a grassroots level is one of our Commonwealth Games legacies.Our Active & Healthy program is helping to make the Gold Coast Way Ahead - a progressive, social and active city.“Love of the outdoors is a key aspect of our lifestyle and being active and healthy is also a part of that, so I encourage everyone to get out there and say I CAN!”Titans player Jai Arrow said as a professional athlete, he understands how important it is to look after himself physically and mentally.“Even though I’ve got an ankle injury at the moment, it hasn’t stopped me.

I CAN – that’s the message to Gold Coasters who want to feel active and healthy.Mayor Tom Tate, together with Titans player Jai Arrow and Suns player Sam Collins, joined in the pilates class at Carrara to launch the City’s new Active & Healthy program.“This year, our focus is on empowering people to say I CAN. With more than 170 free or low cost activities on offer across the city each week, it’s easy to get motivated and get moving,” he said.“This year’s theme - I CAN - is all about being inspired and empowered to live a healthy lifestyle and what better inspiration than our football players – our city’s active and healthy role models.“Around a quarter of the city’s population already participates in the program but lack of regular physical activity is still a massive issue. Our goal is to get more of the City doing 30 mins of moderate physical activity a few days a week.“Increasing sports participation at a grassroots level is one of our Commonwealth Games legacies.Our Active & Healthy program is helping to make the Gold Coast Way Ahead - a progressive, social and active city.“Love of the outdoors is a key aspect of our lifestyle and being active and healthy is also a part of that, so I encourage everyone to get out there and say I CAN!”Titans player Jai Arrow said as a professional athlete, he understands how important it is to look after himself physically and mentally.“Even though I’ve got an ankle injury at the moment, it hasn’t stopped me.

I CAN – that’s the message to Gold Coasters who want to feel active and healthy.Mayor Tom Tate, together with Titans player Jai Arrow and Suns player Sam Collins, joined in the pilates class at Carrara to launch the City’s new Active & Healthy program.“This year, our focus is on empowering people to say I CAN. With more than 170 free or low cost activities on offer across the city each week, it’s easy to get motivated and get moving,” he said.“This year’s theme - I CAN - is all about being inspired and empowered to live a healthy lifestyle and what better inspiration than our football players – our city’s active and healthy role models.“Around a quarter of the city’s population already participates in the program but lack of regular physical activity is still a massive issue. Our goal is to get more of the City doing 30 mins of moderate physical activity a few days a week.“Increasing sports participation at a grassroots level is one of our Commonwealth Games legacies.Our Active & Healthy program is helping to make the Gold Coast Way Ahead - a progressive, social and active city.“Love of the outdoors is a key aspect of our lifestyle and being active and healthy is also a part of that, so I encourage everyone to get out there and say I CAN!”Titans player Jai Arrow said as a professional athlete, he understands how important it is to look after himself physically and mentally.“Even though I’ve got an ankle injury at the moment, it hasn’t stopped me.

City of Gold Coast is ready to up the ante in this year’s Australian Red Cross Blood Service Councils Challenge.Launching next week, the City will compete against other Councils around the country to save the most lives through blood and plasma donations.Acting Mayor Donna Gates has taken on the role of official cheerleader for the challenge.“We’re encouraging every one of our City officers to consider donating this year,” she said.“Every time someone donates, they can save up to three lives.  Cr Gates said the far greater goal this year was to aim for 334 donations, which would save 1000 lives.“Even family members of City employees can donate and make it counts towards the tally,” she said. City of Gold Coast officer Gavin Wheatley, a fleet supervisor, was prompted to donate blood after the Blood Service came calling for the Councils annual challenge last year.“I thought I should lead by example and try to get some of my team to donate, so I decided to start donating regularly,” he said.Gavin’s third donation was plasma. The support from my management throughout my treatment has been fantastic.”His treatment has included Vitamin C infusions, hypothermia and supplements, and Gavin remains optimistic about his future health.“Blood donation is so important as you are helping others in a time of need, while also performing a health check for yourself as the screening process is extremely thorough,” he said.“By giving blood, not only could you be saving someone else’s life, you could be saving your own life.”  The Councils Blood Challenge runs from 1 July to 30 September and includes every Council across the country.