Club News

A Pendle Leisure Trust employee has gone from fat to fit to take on one of the country’s biggest sporting events.

Two years ago, Paul Whittaker, Pendle Leisure Trust’s Business Development Manager, couldn’t fasten his own shoe laces without getting out of breath – on Sunday, he will be running the London Marathon!

The 38-year-old father-of-two was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2014 and as part of his recovery process he had to lose weight and get fitter.

Paul said: “With any thyroid problem, even if you eat healthily you put on a lot of weight, so once I had got over my cancer treatment I decided I needed to get in shape.

“The turning point came when I had to get my seven-year-old daughter to tie my shoe laces for me!

“I joined the Up and Active Couch 2 5k scheme, basically starting at the very beginning. I completed the 10 week Programme at Seedhill Athletics and Fitness Centre in Nelson, which encouraged me to carry on.

“With the help of close friend and Up and Active Exercise Consultant John Bannister, I then completed the Scarborough 10k and The Great North Run, afterwards swearing I would never do another run again – and here I am about to take on the London Marathon!

“This month it is exactly two years since I first started to get fit. Back then I never in my wildest dreams imagined I would be running the London Marathon!”

Paul will be taking on the challenge with his cousin, Chris Hindle, who will also be taking part in his first London Marathon and also raising money for Pendleside Hospice.

Together they have been training for the gruelling 26 mile run with the help of John, who himself took part in the event last year, so knows exactly what training is required.

Paul added: “I will be forever grateful to the Up and Active team for giving me the sense of belief that I could achieve my original 5kms goal two years ago. The scheme is absolutely fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone.

“The 10 week programme is ideally suited to absolute beginners with a structured programme with achievable goals. I would particularly like to thank John who has supported me throughout my training from 5kms to the London Marathon – I couldn’t have done it without him!”

If you are interested in getting started, visit www.pendleleisuretrust.co.uk or http://www.upandactive.co.uk/

Come and join in Pendle Leisure Trust’s Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday.

With special eggs, prizes to be won and even the Easter Bunny himself, this is two hours of fun for all the family!

The free hunt starts at 10am at Seedhill Athletics and Fitness Centre, Nelson. Find as many eggs as you can on the track and then make your way into Victoria Park to find the rest. Then return to Seedhill to exchange your eggs for prizes.

Also, look out for the giant Easter bunnies in Victoria Park and take a selfie with them. There’s an eggstra special prize for the best one!

Sue Madigan, Pendle Leisure Trust’s Publicity/PR Manager, said: “We are putting on this free event for the whole family to enjoy. After all, Easter isn’t Easter without an Easter Egg Hunt!

“There will be lots of special Pendle Leisure Trust eggs to find – and even an appearance from some giant Easter bunnies

“Everybody is welcome, so please come along – and happy hunting!”

For more information, visit www.pendleleisuretrust.co.uk

Pendle Leisure Trust staff are encouraging people in Pendle to take the plunge and get involved in this year’s Swimathon.

The national event takes place April 7th – April 9th to raise vital funds for Marie Curie.

All ages and abilities are invited to join in the challenge at Pendle Leisure Centre in Colne between 7pm and 10pm on Friday, April 7th.

Swimathon is open to teams and individuals with a choice of challenges, 1.5kms, 2.5kms, 5kms and a relay team effort. There is also the Simply Swim Challenge for people who want to swim their own distance in their own time.

And for those who would prefer to cheer on from the sidelines, they can still do their bit by sponsoring a swimmer or spectating for free on the pool side.

Samantha Lamb, Assistant Manager at Pendle Leisure Centre, said: “Over the years we have raised thousands of pounds for charity through this national event. Swimathon 2017 is a perfect way to keep fit, have fun and raise money for a fantastic cause all at the same time.”

Pendle Leisure Centre is just one of more than 600 pools across the UK taking part in Swimathon 2017, to help make lives better by raising money for Marie Curie, the UK’s leading charity for people with terminal illness.

To enter, visit: www.swimathon.org or for more information, contact Pendle Leisure Centre on 01282 661166.