DOZENS of people packed out a steamy studio at the De Vere Village Hotel to raise money for Prospect Hospice while stretching away with yoga.

For two hours, under the guidance of Forrest Yoga teacher Charlie Speller, around 75 people took part in three half-hour speed yoga sessions at the De Vere Village’s Velocity Health and Fitness to raise money for the Swindon Advertiser’s 160 Appeal.

With donations through her Just Giving page and on the day, the 36-year-old, who teaches classes all over the town, raised around £300 towards the appeal.

She said she was pleased with how well the event went, especially since it took place on the same day as her birthday.

“It went really well. The last session was much quieter than I expected it to be and the first two were busier, and I expected it to be the other way around,” she said.

“I was really pleased with how many people turned out though, and there were lots of new faces, too, who just wanted to dip their toe.

“I was hoping to raise around £300 so I am really pleased I managed to raise that, especially since it’s the first time I’ve held anything like it. I think I’d like to do some more charity events like that in future.”

Charlie was inspired to hold a charity yoga session after meeting Adver reporter Liz Mackley last summer when she started attending one of Charlie’s evening classes as part of her efforts to lose three stone in three months for the same cause.

She said: “I decided to do this event for a few reasons.

“The work they do at Prospect Hospice is all about supporting the people and the families of people with terminal illnesses at the end of their lives, and their work is all about helping those people end their days with integrity and helping the families through it too.

“The work that Prospect Hospice does helps to bring healing to the hearts of those reaching the end of their life, and their families, and that is something to be respected and supported and the healing aspect is something that I try to offer in my work.

“I was totally inspired by Liz Mackley, who started coming to my class as part of her preparation for a skydive for Prospect Hospice, and I thought it was something I would like to try and support too.

“We can all make a difference in our communities and a charity yoga event for Prospect Hospice is a way that I can use my skills to give something back.”

Charlie now hopes that some of the new faces she saw at the charity event will consider coming along and learning more about the practice.

She said: “I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who came along, and to Nicole Cutting at Velocity Health and Fitness for all her support with this.

“I hope it was a good taste of yoga and that some of the people who came along might come and join us on the mats in 2015.”

To find out more about Charlie and her work, visit www.charliespeller.com.