West Wight Sports & Community Centre have ambitious plans to extend their onsite gym and this week they launched the fundraising campaign, which they hope will see their dream realised.
The plan is to increase the size of community gym by 50% as well as adding equipment and services to support more people. The aim is for the gym to be an inclusive facility, which supports anyone in the community to improve their fitness and make positive lifestyle choices.
Clare Griffin, Centre Manager, explains more about the need:
“Feedback from both members and staff has shown that our gym needs to be bigger, with more space around each piece of equipment. Some of the equipment and décor, much of which is now 18 years old, is also in need of refreshing/renewing. We also need extra space to allow us to install new pieces of equipment and we would like to be able to add more services for our members to include advice and guidance on nutrition and other aspects of health and well-being.”
The fund raising campaign ‘EXTEND OUR GYM’ kicked off on Monday with the launch of a crowdfunding campaign. Staff have put together a video (which can only be described as humorous!) to get the message across.
The total raised so far is well on the way to £1,000 already – just 2 days into the campaign. Online donations are rewarded with various things including free swims, inductions to the gym and memberships to the Centre.
Marketing Manager Michael Dangerfield, who put the film together, said:
“We wanted to create a funny video that grabs attention highlighting the need for an extended gym. You are sure to laugh if you watch it! All of our staff got behind the video and you can only view the video via our website which will take you to the Crowdfund page.”
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The second fundraising event commenced at 11:00 yesterday morning (Wednesday) and will finish at 11:00 this morning. The team of staff, members and supporters are rowing continuously for the whole 24 hour period. The rowathon is sponsored by Smart Health and supported by Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club.
Fitness instructor, Adam Peckham said:
“We want to create a place where people can come to be supported to improve their health and well-being and where that support fits the needs and wants of the individual. Our gym already has a reputation for inclusivity but we know that we can develop this further by increasing the size of the gym enabling us to reach a wider group of people who may previously have thought that a gym was not for them”.
You can donate via Crowdfunder at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/extend-our-gym.
