A DISABLED fitness instructor from Swindon who works with charities and community classes has won a national award for her tireless efforts.

Sam James won the title of equality and diversity instructor of the year and came third in the female instructors of the year category of the National Community Fitness Awards.

The 39-year-old with cerebral palsy has been helping able-bodied and disabled people get fit and active for more than six years and was nominated for the awards by her clients.

She said: “I have worked really hard to get where I am in the industry and it’s paid off. It was amazing just to be nominated so I was gobsmacked when I reached the shortlist and in complete disbelief when I won.

“It’s been difficult, especially at the beginning, because I’ve walk into the room and people didn’t realise I was the instructor or didn’t think I could do the session.

“The more I’ve taught, the more confident I’ve become and improved myself – some of my long-term clients have noticed that change.

“It’s a great career option for disabled people because it helps them to get active and motivates others – they realise that if the instructor can do it with their disability, so can they.

“I feel like a good role model for others who may not think they can do something like this. More disabled people are teaching classes like this but there aren’t enough.”

Sam, from Old Town, decided to become a personal trainer after the instructor at an exercise class she went to which helped rehabilitate her broken shoulder suggested that she give it a try.

Sports England-funded group InstructAbility aims to encourage disabled people to join the leisure and fitness industry. This is where Sam applied to train and gain the qualifications she needed.

After a three-month work placement at the Link Centre, she set up her own business and began working part-time for the community health and wellbeing team at Swindon Borough Council.

She teaches Clubbercise, RockBox and Zumba classes across Swindon and provides extra sessions for charities like the Open Door Centre, Headway and the Swindon Interactive Arts Service.