Martina Navratilova supports Ageing Better Together

Martina Navratilova supports Age UK's new Ageing Better Together campaign

Wimbledon legend Martina Navratilova has pledged her support for Age UK's new Ageing Better Together campaign.

Martina, a fitness ambassador for the US organisation AARP, took some time out yesterday (Monday 4th July) following the Wimbledon finals to talk about her admiration of the work of the Charity.

The nine-time champion of the SW19 courts found time to speak to guests at an Age UK charity dinner at the Hurlingham Club, Fulham, on Monday 4th July. The tennis star spoke about her passion for health and fitness, pledging her support for the work that Age UK carries out to help people in later life live healthily and happily for longer.

Speaking at the dinner, Martina said: 'Count me as an ally in achieving Age UK's vision to foster a world in which older people flourish - a world where they have opportunities to participate and contribute as volunteers, active citizens, good neighbours, family members, and workers. This is the kind of world we all want.'

Paul Farthing, Fundraising Director at Age UK said: 'We've all witnessed Martina's sheer strength and determination out on the tennis courts, and it's incredible to see how she uses this energy beyond the tennis world to help make a difference to others through her work with the AARP. Martina is a great advocate for the importance of wellbeing in later life, and, as we launch our new Ageing Better Together campaign, it's fantastic to hear that she's fully behind our work.'

At Age UK, it's not just about living longer, it's about living healthily and happily for longer. So this summer, Age UK's new Ageing Better Together campaign will give people practical ways to feel better and to stay fit and active every day. Whether it's providing information, encouraging activity, or helping to get the most from health services, Age UK intends to ensure that people are getting as much out of life as possible. Get involved in Ageing Better Together by volunteering, campaigning, or even taking on a personal challenge to raise funds. For more information and to find out how to get involved, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/ageingbettertogether or call 0800 169 6565.

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Note to editors

1. For more information about Age UK please contact Lizzie Webster, Age UK Media Team, on 0203 033 1428 or e-mail lizzie.webster@ageuk.org.uk
2. Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.
3. Age UK provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.
4. Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media contact: Lizzie Webster
Tel: 020 3033 1428
Out-of-hours: 07071 243 243