Being physically active is important for everyone. But only 30% of people aged 50-64 in the UK take the recommended minimum 30 minutes of moderate activity five times a week to keep them hale and hearty. Although people over 50 are at greater risk of heart disease, there's a lot they can do to keep their hearts healthy. The BHF's 30 a Day campaign encouraged 50-65 year olds to get active, through two million leaflets and 2,000 billboards, which showed fun - and slightly surreal - images of exercise.

Thirty minutes exercise, such as brisk walking, housework or gardening can halve your risk of heart disease. Activity increases energy and agility, helps you feel and look better, and improves the chances of staying independent in later life. To help older people take up the challenge, we produced a 30 a Day Action Pack, full of ideas on how to build activity into daily life.

30 a Day helped Brian Wilson of Kilwinning in Scotland gain a new zest for life. Brian led an unhealthy life, with little physical activity and all the wrong foods. But: "Even though I'd given up alcohol, I didn't like what I saw in the mirror, and I decided to change my diet - and my lifestyle". Cycling and swimming have helped reduce his blood pressure and cholesterol - and motivated him to dust off his drumkit and get back on the road with his band after 30 years.

By March 2008 there had been over 37,500 requests for the 30 a Day Action Pack, and the website had attracted over 35,000 visits. And, in addition to helping the over-50s get fit, as a founder member of the National Coalition for Active Ageing, we're lobbying government to promote health in older adults as a national priority. For more information on how to stay active, visit bhf.org.uk/30aday