Stepping out to help hospice finances (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Stepping out to help hospice finances

8:16pm Wednesday 11th November 2009

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AN AEROBICS class literally stepped out for two hours to raise money for a Basingstoke hospice.

As if a one-hour class is not strenuous enough, 14 regulars at a step aerobics class at Basingstoke’s Sports Centre in Festival Place doubled their usual class time and raised about £1,700 for St Michael’s Hospice.

The fundraising workout was organised by Caroline Gorman, 35, and Gillian White, 48, who takes the classes.

The instructor said: “It started off as just a joke that I make at the end of a class: ‘Why not make it a two-hour class’, and Caroline said: ‘Why not do it for charity?’.

“St Michael’s is a very good cause so it was easy to get people in to raise money. People are very generous even in the current climate.

“And they enjoyed doing it because they got a good workout.”

Mrs Gorman, who works for the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Alder-maston, which donated £150 to the cause, added: “It was really good. Everyone went through from beginning to end.

“Gillian also did a lot of hard work going around local companies to make up goodie bags.”

Each member of the class took home a bag filled with treats, including a medal, and the fundraisers are considering putting on another event in the new year.

St Michael’s Hospice, in Aldermaston Road, offers specialist palliative care for people affected by life-limiting illnesses, and more information is available at stmichaelshospice.org.uk.

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