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Co-organisers Sheila Ward (front left) and Joan Hobbes (front right) celebrate their funding with WDH Tenant Involvement Officer Rebecca Lane (centre) and group members.
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An exercise club for older people in Sharlston has been thrown a lifeline in the shape of a £500 Community Grant from Wakefield and District Housing (WDH).
For the past three years membership levels at Sharlston Keep Fit have grown steadily, yet rising operating costs meant the club couldn’t guarantee its own long-term survival.
Co-organisers Sheila Ward and Joan Hobbes say the increased cost of venue-rental and exercise equipment meant the self-supporting organisation might not keep the once-a-week class going.
“Of course we have to pay the aerobics instructor as well,” explains Sheila, 70. “It was getting to the point that we couldn’t afford to run it.”
Joan, 75, relates how their unsuccessful run of applications for funding and donations continued until the day they downloaded a Community Grant application form from the WDH website.
“We heard that WDH might be able to provide funds for worthwhile community groups, so we printed off the form, filled it in and sent it off.
“A couple of months later we got a letter saying WDH’s Local Management Committee (LMC) would give us £500. We kept the letter to show all the members. Everyone is so happy that we can keep paying the rent and the instructor.”
The oldest member of the club, Doreen Machin, 84, attends several classes around the District, and she believes Sharlston Keep Fit is the best of the bunch.
“This class is the one that really keeps me going. It’s so good I bring my daughter along and she enjoys it too.
“She just about keeps up with me now.”
LMC Chair Ken McRitchie says WDH encourages a healthy lifestyle for all members of the community.
“That’s why we’ve awarded the Community Grant to Sharlston Keep Fit,” says John. “They’re passionate about practising a healthy lifestyle and all the benefits that brings to people of all ages.”
With funding in place, men and women of all ages from Sharlston are welcome to attend each Thursday morning between 10 and 11am at Sharlston Community Centre.
