Organisers of a health fair have backed calls for healthy living and say they are behind The Royal Gazette's Have a Heart Campaign.

As part of the renewed focus on health and fitness in the community, through the Live Healthy Bermuda 100 Day Challenge and the Department of Health's, "Healthy People in Health Communities," The Orange Valley Centre at the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute (MAWI) opened their doors to the public yesterday.

Part open house, part healthy living expo clients of the centre and the public were treated to Aqua massages, detoxing foot baths and healthy cooking classes.

Kim McCottry, administrator of the Orange Valley Centre, said she was thrilled with the turnout and fully supported the paper's campaign.

She said: "We are just pleased, really pleased. It has been a hit in the community. We wanted to give back to the community ourselves."

The Centre started earlier this year focusing on healthy living with a race for the staff to see who could lose the most weight.

Ms. McCottry proudly explained that she was the winner of this initiative and later on this year, along with a number of other organisations, the centre will have a sports day.

Yesterday, though was also a chance to highlight different treatments the centre was able to offer clients through the Aqua Massage.

With hundred of water jets trampling the sore muscles of clients, it helps the therapists at the centre to stretch and calm their patients.

Joanne Musson, who was demonstrating the benefits of the machine, said many patients are calmer and have better circulation after just ten minutes after the treatment.

Though many are nervous before entering the machine, Ms. Musson said: "When it's over they say, 'That's it. You can't keep going?

"It calms them down. We use it twice a day. It helps with their circulation, sleeping and behaviour problems."

Trying out the massager and the foot detoxing station, Health Minister Nelson Bascome joked he was trying to rid himself of stress from The Royal Gazette.

In all seriousness, though, Mr. Bascome said he was pleased the public had a chance to see the centre and hailed the success of healthy lifestyle initiatives.

He said: "Whilst this centre did get a lot of negative press when it first opened because it was linking it up with the hospital, you can see now it's really set apart.

"The health care providers do an excellent job for our clients. It's interesting the 100 Day Challenge talking about their progress.

"I think it helps the weather has been conducive. When we look at the campaign it was a giant step. As Bermudians we take small steps.

"The more we talk about the health issues the more we become aware of them."