Rover the Dog and Tranmere Rovers In The Community were out in force in Birkenhead Town Centre last Friday as part of Men's Health Week.
The Club's community team and mascot worked in tandem with the Tranmere, Rock Ferry and Central Birkenhead Health Action Team to carry out health checks for men.
More than 20 local men received checks on their blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose level and body fat composition, with Rover the first to be tested.
The visit to Birkenhead was part of Tranmere Rovers In The Community's partnership with Wirral NHS which will see them deliver the "Equalising Wirral's Health" project together over the next three years, with a grant of up to £135,024 provided by the Football Foundation with match funding from Wirral NHS.
Sessions will be delivered weekly by Tranmere Rovers in the Community and NHS Wirral across the five Health Action Areas, to males over 40 (especially 55-74) with a high risk of cardiovascular disease or mental health problems, and substance misusers. Groups will be formed on the basis of physical activity choices and geography and sessions will comprise physical activity (eg football, power walking, bowls, yoga) and inputs on healthy living; diet and nutrition, smoking and alcohol.
The visit to Birkenhead Town Centre enabled the Club's community team to consult men on the activities they would want included in the project and also featured a World Cup quiz.
Tranmere Rovers In The Community Manager Steve Williams said: "This is a really important project aimed at reducing ill health rates of men aged over 40. This will come about as a result of project participants' reduction in smoking and alcohol intakes, improved physical fitness and improved mental well being."
