Working up a sweat for our hospice
3:55pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Latest News
Working up a sweat for our hospice
WHILE most of us opted to stay inside on Saturday morning as temperatures plummeted, more than 30 fitness fanatics were working up a sweat in the name of charity.
A four-hour Combatathon, or extreme exercise class, was held at DW Sports Gym at the Orbital retail park from 9am to 1pm to raise money for Prospect Hospice.
The event was organised by Prospect supporter and army HR administrator Jo Freeman, and involved four body combat instructors leading 30 brave participants in four one-hour exhausting sessions.
The group, which ranged in age from 19 to late 50s, hope to have raised around £3,000 for the charity.
They were put through their paces by instructors Lorraine Collins, Kerry Clifford, Natalie Mitchell and Claire Murray.
Jo, 42, who lives in Upper Stratton, said: “I have been doing body combat for about four and a half years now and I absolutely love it.
“It’s not aerobics – it’s a combination of martial arts and boxing to music, but there is no contact. It’s great fun.
“It’s not just the class I enjoy, it’s the people that make it such fun and cheer you up if you are having a rubbish day.”
Each year the Combatathon has raised more than £4,000 for different charities including Ovarian Cancer Action, the Samaritans and Oak and Furrows Wildlife Rescue Centre.
Jo said: “This year we decided to support Prospect because it is a local charity and I’ve actually got a Prospect charity shop at the end of my road which I’m always giving to, so I thought why not raise money for them this year?
“And of course, everyone is always really keen to support them.”
For more information, visit www.prospect-hospice.net
