A fighting fit way to help a worthy cause (From Swindon Advertiser)

A fighting fit way to help a worthy cause

11:00am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News By Chantelle Rees, News Editor

FOUR gruelling hours of strenuous punching and kicking is not everyone’s idea of how to spend a Saturday morning, but next month fitness fanatics will be working up a sweat for a worthy cause.

A four-hour Combatathon, or extreme exercise class, will be held at DW Sports Fitness Club the Orbital Shopping Park on Saturday, February 2 from 9am to 1pm to raise money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

The event – which is in its fourth year – has been organised by Army HR administrator Jo Freeman, and involves four body combat instructors leading 30 participants in four one-hour sessions.

The group hopes to raise around £3,000 for the charity.

The event has raised more than £12,000 in previous years for charities such as The Samaritans, Oak and Furrows Wildlife, Prospect Hospice and Ovarian Cancer Action.

Participants will be put through their paces by instructors Lorraine Collins, Kerry Clifford, Natalie Mitchell and Ben Strange.

Jo, 43, who lives in Upper Stratton, said: “The idea for the combatathon came up four years ago during a chat with friends.

“I wanted to do something I enjoyed for charity and came up with doing body combat for four hours straight.

“It’s a tough challenge and not for the faint-hearted – but it’s lots of fun and everyone gets involved.

“Combat is brilliant exercise, and the dynamic of the class is unlike any other.

“Everyone is sociable and gets into it.

“The instructors are great and it’s a fun class which is a fantastic way to work off any stress or aggression.

“This year I have had a record amount of interest, I already have 24 people lined up to do the event and there are loads more who say they will be signing up, so I’m pleased.”

Jo added that she hoped to beat her fundraising target this year.

“We have done so well in previous years and I’m proud,” she said. “We are going to ramp it up this year to raise as much as we can.

“Wiltshire Air Ambulance is such a good cause which everyone in Swindon may need at some point in their lives, and I know the service always needs financial help.

“It’s a brilliant day, everyone brings homemade goodies to sell and we all motivate each other to keep going.

“By the time you reach the third hour it starts to hurt but it’s all worth it.”

For more information call DW Sports Fitness Club on 01793 704044.