Five-hour fitness frenzy raises thousands for dementia sufferers
Fitness fanatics worked out for 5 hours to raise funds for Dementia UK - Credit: Archant
A fitness instructor from Willesden was joined by keep-fit enthusiasts this weekend for a five-hour ‘Fit Frenzy’ session that raised thousands of pounds in memory of her late mother.
The back to back work outs included a mix of 'Below The Belt', 'Da Terminator', 'Padmania' and 'Lucky Dip Circuit' - Credit: Archant
Maydine Etienne-Thomas, whose mother Dona died after a 14 year battle with dementia last year, was joined by more than one hundred participants at the Bridge Park community leisure centre in Stonebridge on Sunday for the back-to-back exercise session, raising more than £16,575 for Dementia UK.
Mrs Etienne-Thomas,45, said: “ I am thrilled beyond measure that my fitness family turned out for me in full force to help bring my vision and mission for Dementia UK to fruition.To raise over £16,500K is such an epic achievement and living proof that teamwork really makes the dream work.”
Mrs Etienne-Thomas flashes a smile with fellow fundraisers at the Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre - Credit: Archant
“The session was electric. It was a really intense five-hour session because of the music and the exercise getting the adrenaline pumping. There were such great vibes and a real family atmosphere- I’m still burning calories now!”
Fit fundraisers from 21 to 67 years of age-many of whom had experience caring for loved ones with dementia- were encouraged by Mrs Etienne Thomas and special guest fitness presenters Fitzroy Gaynes and Faye Edwards to jump, stretch and sweat through a series of high gruelling intensity work outs and circuits during the session.
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Mrs Etienne-Thomas who received support from her husband Kennneth to organize the event, which took place on the anniversary of her mother’s death, aimed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by dementia sufferers and their carers and also promote a healthy lifestyle.
She said: “For me, living with my mum and going through 14 years of dementia, I don’t feel I had the support that should be there for patients and their families. It was a kind of taboo subject and people are embarrassed to talk about it, but you only realize when you’re going through it.
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“I wanted to fundraise for Dementia UK because it provides sufferers and their families with the care they require. I ‘d like to thank everyone who participated and all the volunteer staff who made this possible.”
If you would like to help boost Mrs Etienne-Thomas’s total for Dementia UK you can access her fundraising site at: www.justgiving.com/fitfrenzy4dementia.uk
