Gym staff gear up for hospice’s Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride

Gym managers and personal trainers are coming together to take on the Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride in support of St Catherine’s Hospice – and they’re urging others to get active and put their foot to the pedal for the cause.

Staff from DW Fitness First in Port Way, Preston, are gearing up for the 60-mile route in support of the Lostock Hall hospice on July 7, raising funds for the specialist care provided by the charity to local people facing life-shortening conditions.

A team of more than 20 colleagues have signed up for the family-friendly ride, and the gym is also offering training support for anyone who takes part in the popular challenge for the hospice.

General manager Kirsty Humphries said: “We’re really looking forward to taking on the Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride – there’s been a great response to it so far from our staff and we’re encouraging our members to join in too, as well as helping hospice supporters prepare for the ride through spinning classes and other activities.”

Kirsty added: “St Catherine’s is very dear to me personally as my granddad was cared for by the hospice, and it also touches a lot of our staff and members. It’s a very important charity in the local area, and we want to do what we can to help. It’s good for staff morale to come together to support such a much-loved cause, and we have a lot of generous members who are sponsoring us too.”

As well as getting involved with the Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride, DW Fitness First is backing some of the hospice’s other fundraising events this summer. Staff are hosting a brand new Body Combat and Body Pump session in the St Catherine’s Park marquee on July 2; they are participating in the charity’s family-fun Yellow Day Garden Fete on June 23; and they’re staging the warm-up routine ahead of the hospice’s biggest annual fundraiser, the Moonlight and Memories Walk on July 6.

“We’re really excited to be involved in all of these fantastic events,” Kirsty said. “It’s going to be a really fun summer with St Catherine’s as we challenge ourselves and raise vital funds for this very worthy cause.”

Emma Jacovelli, head of community engagement at St Catherine’s Hospice, said: “We’re thrilled to have DW Fitness First on board for a range of our popular events this summer, including the brand new Body Combat class and our 4-mile and 10-mile Moonlight and Memories Walk.

“We’re also delighted that they’re saddling up for the fantastic Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride, which sets off from Media City and ends on the South Promenade. We’re providing return transport from the hospice for riders and their bikes, and we’re anticipating a really great turnout for this iconic scenic bike ride.”

To sign up for the Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride or for more details about any of St Catherine’s Hospice’s fundraising events, click here or call 01772 629171.

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