Pink Aerobics for Vale instructors - 22/09/06
Two Vale of Glamorgan-based fitness instructors played a major
role in the annual Pink Aerobics event in support of Breast Cancer
Care.
Mike O’Donoghue and Ceinwen Jackson, who are guest fitness
instructors at Barry, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth Leisure
Centres, were chosen from many applicants to participate in the
Cardiff part of an event which was, for the first time, staged in
both London and the Welsh capital.
The 2005 Pink Aerobics event in Regent’s Park raised more than
£100,000 for Breast Cancer Care.
Supported by an estimated 200 fundraisers, the Cardiff event in
Coopers Field was broadcast by Red Dragon Radio and featured Welsh
pop duo ‘Kute," DJ Clare Lloyd and Big Brother 7 housemate Imogen
Thomas. The fundraisers of all ages paid £15 to enter and were each
asked to try and raise £50 for Breast Cancer Care; in return, they
received a commemorative Pink Aerobics T-shirt and special goody
bag.
Between them, Vale instructors Mike and Ceinwen have more than
40 years' fitness experience and offer a portfolio including
circuits, boxercise, aqua, aerobics, step, street dance and cardiac
rehabilitation. The cause is, indeed, close to Ceinwen’s heart as
she has breast cancer and has undergone surgery, chemotherapy and
radiotherapy. Her spirit and outlook are exemplary and her
enthusiasm ensures that she not only keenly writes her PhD in
cardiovascular disease in women but also instructs and is an active
family member.
Mike is an experienced presenter of outdoor events, and
currently works in engineering project management at the Defence
Procurement Agency – a role which saw him present at a similar
event (although on sand and not grass) in the Middle East to troops
at Basra.
Mike’s routine was voted by participants as the best on the day,
winning him a bottle of champagne. Participants learned the moves
quickly and performed Mike's aerobics to Dame Shirley Bassey’s "Big
Spender." Mike said: “The atmosphere was very special, everyone
uniting to raise money for an excellent cause. Families welcomed
the fortuitous weather, picnicked and enjoyed the stalls and
raffle.”
Closing the event, Ceinwen had the crowd stretching and
mobilising, and invited participants to spend a few minutes
reflecting on the purpose of their efforts. Ceinwen encourages
those with the illness to put it in perspective and empower
themselves with knowledge. She suggests that they should access the
help readily available from places such as Breast Cancer Care UK,
the Internet and social support groups.
More than 42,000 women and 300 men are diagnosed in the UK each
year with breast cancer, and the efforts made by the two Vale
presenters and their supporters were tremendous. Dena Digweed, one
of the fitness co-ordinators with the Vale Council, enthused: “I’m
very proud that Ceinwen and Mike took a leading role in the Pink
Aerobics event in their own time for such an excellent cause.”
For more information, call the Breast Cancer Care helpline free
on 0808 800 6000 or visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk.
Ceinwen is also hosting a sing-along in support of Breast Cancer
Care UK in November at Penarth Yacht Club. For more details, email
tsawyer12@aol.com.
Alternatively, to find out more on the range of fitness classes
in Vale leisure centres, telephone Barry 01446 744770, Cowbridge
01446 775533, Llantwit Major 01446 793947 or Penarth 02920
700717.