A Northern Ireland heart charity has claimed it is being pilloried over a poster campaign by a UK-wide rival.
Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke said it is being blamed for a risque British Heart Foundation poster featuring a naked man on a beach.
The poster shows him embracing a woman in a swimsuit, with the message sex and swimming are good for the heart.
Andrew Dougal of NICHS said people had been threatening to stop donating to the charity over the posters.
“We have had letters and phone calls from people threatening not to give us any more money,” he said.
“In fact, we understand their views entirely. We have never used shock tactics or sexual imagery in our campaigns and never will.”
An older man showing his bare arse whilst embracing a woman in a bathing suite is sexual imagery? Shock tactics?? Oh, please.
The NI Chest, Heart and Stroke site has more, and guess what:
“We would appeal to the BHF to withdraw these posters – not just because they offend the sensibilities of many local people, but because they are damaging the cause of raising money to combat heart disease.
“We and our supporters are not prudes – but we know where to draw the line when advising people on healthier lifestyles. There’s nothing wrong with encouraging exercise, but these posters are merely designed to shock. I would argue that the shock value obscures the real message, which is that we need to improve our entire lifestyle if we are to avoid cardiovascular disease.”
They really are asking for the posters to be withdrawn.
Come on, guys. Sex is a healthy – and very fun – activity to help keep your heart in shape. I’d rather have 30 minutes of sex each day than go for a 30 minute jog. And yes, you and (some of) your supporters are prudes, there’s absolutely nothing ‘dirty’ about sex.
Download a pdf of the full-size poster here.
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