Published: Wednesday, 27th January, 2010 5:00pm

Operation Transformation visits Mullingar

Operation Transformation visited the town of Mullingar this week to transform the citizens into healthier and fitter individuals. Health expert and fitness instructor Karl Henry was onhand at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre on the crisp Monday morning to get the crowd warmed up ahead of their brisk walk through the centre of town. Operation Transformation Series 3 returned to television screens on early in January 2010, with five brave new leaders all hoping to transform their lives with an eight-week programme that helps them lose weight and get fit. Ger Mills and members of the Meningitis Trust from Mullingar and Athlone were there in support of Penny Dwyer, one of this year's leaders on the show: "Penny's daughter unfortunately died of meningitis and we've been working closely with her in the Trust, so we're here to say a big well done to Penny for taking part in the show and tell her to keep going," said Ger Mills. "The Meningitis Trust is an Irish Charity formed in 2002 and we offer a nationwide service consisting of free support such as counselling for people who've been affected by the disease. We also want to raise awareness and educate people about the signs and symptoms of meningitis, and that's why it's great having Penny on the show. She's so brave and has done so much to raise the profile of the disease," said Ger. The LARCC Cancer Support Service in Ballinalack, who provide psychological support to Cancer patients and their families, providing a residential week, bereavement group, as well as a breast care service for ladies who've had a mastectomy, had some of it's members going the extra mile to highlight the LARCC Centre: "We came out to do the Mullingar Mile this morning because we at LARCC recommend being active and eating a healthy balanced diet to help prevent Cancer, and also when you're going through Cancer it's good be as active and healthy as you can," said Briga Gorman. Twenty-nine First Year students from St. Finian's College also walked the mile to promote the benefits of fitness and exercise for the youth. The event was broadcast live on the Gerry Ryan radio show on 2FM and will also be televised on Wednesday, January 27 at 8pm on RTÉ 1.