Inverurie challenged to 24-hour PT-athon fundraiser
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An Inverurie-based personal trainer is holding a 24-hour fitness event to raise funds for a cancer charity which supported his sister.
Stephen Hart, who offers one-to-one and small group personal training at Hart Fitness in Inverurie, will run fitness classes throughout the day and night on Saturday, February 29.
The event is in aid of CLAN Cancer Support, which is based on West High Street, Inverurie and which offers practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer.
The personal trainer was inspired to raise funds for CLAN after his sister, Lauren, turned to CLAN for support following a breast cancer diagnosis.
Lauren, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, accessed CLAN’s services in Inverurie including counselling and wellbeing therapies.
Additionally, Lauren’s husband and children used CLAN’s children and families service to help them understand what Lauren was going through and deal with their own thoughts and feelings following the frightening diagnosis.
A qualified personal trainer, Stephen will run classes from 8am on Saturday 29 until 8am on Sunday March 1.
There are no costs for the classes on offer, instead Stephen has asked for donations towards CLAN.
Locals have already started to sign up to the sessions which include circuit training, boxercise, Pilates and running and there are spaces available across the spread of hours.
The event is open to anyone of any age, and all abilities.
On the sessions Stephen said: “I’ve been completely blown away by the tremendous response we’ve had already after announcing the 24-hour PT-athon in aid of CLAN Cancer Support.
“Previously, I was aware of CLAN, but it wasn’t until my sister Lauren was diagnosed with breast cancer in September last year that I realised the scale of the cancer support services that they offer.
“Lauren, who just completed her first marathon before her diagnosis, her husband and two children have been using CLAN’s Inverurie service regularly.
“CLAN has been an incredible help to them and that’s why I wanted to give back to CLAN while engaging the local community in a fitness challenge.
“Exercise has a fantastic impact on mental wellbeing, which is something that I know CLAN has been championing throughout the north-east.”
Aberdeenshire area services co-ordinator for CLAN Inverurie Janine Still added: “We are so grateful to Stephen for organising this incredible event which is really getting people talking in Inverurie.
“CLAN supports many people and their families, and we are always thankful to those who take time to thank CLAN.
“We receive no government funding, so the services we offer are all paid for by our own fundraising endeavours and those of our supporters and clients.
“The PT-athon is a fabulous idea because keeping fit and active can be really beneficial when you are faced with a cancer diagnosis.
“It will be fantastic fun for everyone involved and we hope that the knowledge they are to support people at a difficult time in life will hopefully bring some motivation on the midnight run!”
CLAN, which has been supporting people affected by cancer for over 36 years, is a local charity which first started in Aberdeen and now also has a presence across Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Northern Isles including outreach services in communities including Turriff and Crimond.
To take part in the event please visit https://www.facebook.com/HartFitnessPT/ where forms and timetables are available.
For more information about CLAN Cancer Support, please visit www.clanhouse.org or call 01224 647000.
