Fun and fitness as Fortrose gets physical
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FUN, fundraising and fitness are thrust under the spotlight at a Black Isle “marathon” with a difference on Sunday.
Highlanders of all shapes and sizes are being asked to work out in style and give their backing to two organisations which support people with mobility limiting conditions.
The Black Isle Leisure Centre in Fortrose will be the scene on Sunday of a 12-hour fitness marathon raising funds for the Puffin Hydrotherapy Pool in Dingwall and the medical charity, Arthritis Research UK.
Supporters of these causes are being invited to pop in at any point during the day and join the fun.
Black Isle-based Rona Campbell, a former broadcaster who is now assistant director of the CBI, has teamed up with Highland fitness instructor Vicky Powlesland.
The beneficiaries of the dynamic duo’s efforts are close to Rona’s heart.
She explained: “My mum, Joyce, had severe rheumatoid arthritis. It eventually made her completely immobile and had a horrific impact on her. Watching her struggle bravely over the years was awful for my dad and our whole family.”
Her father, Allan Campbell, who was born in Dingwall, spent his career as a physician in Paisley and East Kilbride. Said Rona: “Dad often spoke about the vital work organisations like the Puffin Pool did in a local community.
He once saw the facility in Dingwall and thought it wasn’t just a great resource for therapeutic care for a variety of people but he also said the support everyone got from attending the centre was invaluable.
“Dad thought highly of the research work carried out by Arthritis Research UK which has resulted in great advances in this whole area of medicine, meaning the outlook for millions of sufferers improves every year.”
Sadly, her parents died within a few months of each other in 2011. The event is being held in their memory for causes close to their hearts.
Vicky, a fitness instructor who has lived in Inverness for the past 24 years, trained in ballet and martial arts and is a former Scottish fencing champion. She teaches classes ranging from kettlebells to step and zumba.
She said: “So many people suffer from various forms of arthritis and mobility conditions. They urgently need therapy to make their lives bearable. The Puffin Pool provides that sort of help. It’s long opening hours, 9am to 6pm and sometimes more, is being mirrored by the length of our continuous work out.”
Several top fitness instructors in the Highlands have thrown their weight behind the effort and will be leading fun sessions in aerobics and zumba.
Added Vicky: “We would love to see anyone of any age come along, join in the fun and raise money for two terrific charities.”
