A free ‘Community Wellness Day’ will take place at a Blackburn mosque to raise awareness of different cancers and health conditions.

The event, which is open to everyone in the town, also aims to help raise funds for the Morocco Earthquake Disaster Appeal.

It is being held at Madina Mosque, on Oak Street on Sunday, September 17, from 12pm to 2pm (for women and children) and 2pm to 4pm (for men).

The Community Wellness Day aims to raise awareness of cancer and other conditions, and the importance of early intervention, as well as the help that is available locally when someone receives a diagnosis.

During the day blood pressure and health checks will be offered, along with advice from the Bowel and Breast Cancer Screening Services, Lung Care and Gynae Care teams, Macmillan Cancer Support, Blackburn with Darwen Health Watch, as well as IMO Diabetes Awareness and other health information stalls.

There will also be an inflatable bowel tour and the HARRI Bus - Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundations Trust’s health and wellbeing engagement vehicle.

Shakil Salam, from the Lancashire Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, said: “This event is open to everyone in Blackburn, and the surrounding area, and we want to bring the community together to access a range of service providers from health, social, community and voluntary sectors all under one roof.

“We’re hoping to overcome any language barriers, and cultural differences or concerns, to encourage people to look after themselves and get checked out.

"We want to highlight the importance of health, and help the local community understand their own health needs and, importantly, that we are here to support them.

“Besides raising local health awareness on the day, we also hope to raise vital funds to help support the Morocco Earthquake Disaster Appeal.”

Special guests, the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn, Councillor Parwaiz Akhtar, and his wife Shagufta, will officially open the event at 1pm.

Food, including a BBQ, will be served, and there will also be Mehndi (Henna) body art, and children’s activities, including facepainting and a bouncy castle.

It is being supported by Macmillan Cancer Support, IMO Diabetes, Breast Cancer Screening Service, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust; and is sponsored by Waheed’s & Asia Continental.