Nurse says 'fit like' to residents A Nurse whose parents died before their 60th birthdays is helping people to get fit.

A Nurse whose parents died before their 60th birthdays is helpingpeople to get fit.

Mary Abdessadek, pictured, was born and brought up in Seaton.

And now the health worker is heading up a team of nurses carryingout free health checks in the area.

Mary works on the Aberdeen pilot project Fit Like Seaton whereresidents can take advantage of a "body MOT" at a number oflocations.

Mum-of-two Mary said: "Both of my parents died under the age of60.

"My mum had a massive heart attack and my dad had a stroke due toill health.

"So this project really means a lot to me. I am generally acommunity nurse and when the chance came up to work with the scheme Iwent for it."

Mary, along with a band of nurses, checks patients for diabetes,takes waist measurements to calculate the risk of heart disease and measures lung capacity.

The team also check for potential dental and eye problems. Fundingwas secured for the NHS Grampian scheme which targets one of thecity's regeneration areas and aims to uncover why Seaton residentsare put off using health services.

Mary, 44, said: "There were two people I saw last week who hadn'tbeen to the doctor for nearly five years. They could have hadsomething underlying which they never knew about."

And the co-ordinator Helen Clarke is urging more people to takeadvantage. She said: "Everyone who has been along has been verypositive about the project and we urge people to use it."

Health checks are available at Seaton Health Clinic, the Starcommunity flat, Seaton chemists and at home if required.

The project runs to the start of August and a free check can bebooked by calling 0500 202030.

lkernan@ajl.co.uk