• East Durham Belles entered a team of 30 ladies and had a fantastic fun time.

• After an aquatic warm up with their fitness guru Jacqui Philpott the ladies took part in the 5k team challenge with many ladies completing 64 lengths of the pool.

• Marie Curie Cancer Care gives people with all terminal illnesses the choice to die at home.

• Funds raised by taking on the Swimathon Distance Challenges will help Marie Curie nurses provide them and their families with free hands-on care and emotional support, in their own homes, right until the end.

• To sponsor one of our swimmers, go online to www.swimathon.org

Quotations:

Malcolm Grinstead, Peterlee centre manager commented:

This year’s event was more exciting than ever, with supporters cheering on from the sidelines. Congratulations to all the swimmers who trained so hard to complete their challenge. They should be very proud of their achievements.

 

Duncan Goodhew MBE, Olympic gold medallist and Swimathon President, said:

Swimathon 2013 was a huge success. It is great to see so many people take on this fantastic fundraising event and make 2013 even more memorable for sport. The event’s ability to provide challenging swims and raise money for great causes remains as strong as ever.

 

Zoggs UK Marketing Manager, David Annand said:

Zoggs are extremely proud to be partnering Swimathon 2013. We have a great passion for swimming and believe it to be one of life’s great pleasures. As the leading swim brand in UK Leisure we encourage everyone – whatever age, sex or ability – at all swimming pools nationwide to take part in this great challenge and raise much needed funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

• All money raised from the launch of Armageddon will be donated to the Bradley Lowery appeal to help raise funds for his medical care.
• The class will be led by instructors trained by celebrity trainer, Richard Calendar, and is a way to enjoy fitness whilst achieving rapid results.
• Armageddon is a VIT (Variable Intensity Training) class suitable for all fitness levels.
• The class uses body weight only exercises and produces rapid results.
• The class is based on five components, four training styles and three time durations and promises to be an exciting new addition to the class timetable at the centre.

Quotations:

Malcolm Grinstead, Contract Manager at Peterlee Leisure Centre, said:

Launching Armageddon is part of our ongoing dedication to getting the local community in Peterlee active and enjoying exercise. It is an exciting class, which not only promises to be fun, but achieves rapid results to improve fitness and assist weight loss. We’re looking forward to welcoming members and non-members to the launch where we will be raising money for a well-deserving charity, the Bradley Lowery appeal.

• The annual awards are organised and operated by NHS Public Health for the North East and are designed to foster and promote health and wellbeing initiatives in the region’s workplaces
• Peterlee Leisure Centre came away with a bronze award, which was presented by Anna Lynch, the Director for Public Health
• As part of the assessment, the centre organised cancer awareness training and alcohol awareness training in addition to other health initiatives
• You can find Peterlee Leisure Centre on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PeterleeLC and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PeterleeLC
• For more information about Peterlee Leisure Centre please visit: http://www.harpersfitness.co.uk/gyms/peterlee-leisure-centre/

Quotations

Malcolm Grinstead, Contract Manager at Peterlee Leisure Centre, said:

We are thrilled to win this award and be recognised for the work we do to promote health awareness to the employees who work in the centre. After winning the bronze award, we now intend to apply for the silver award assessment!

• Investing in Children compiled a report following an open day at the centre, which highlights a number of barriers preventing young people from visiting and taking part in activities
• The team at Peterlee Leisure Centre is now developing new activities to specifically cater to the needs of young people to sit alongside activities already available including swimming, float sessions, football coaching, 5 a side football, roller skating and much more
• To make these activities more affordable children under the age of 16 can purchase a junior membership leisure card, which will give them a discount on a range of activities

Quotations

Malcolm Grinstead, Contract Manager at Peterlee Leisure Centre, said:

We are currently looking to develop what the centre can offer young people, and are encouraging young people in the local community to voice their opinions on activities at the centre via our Facebook and Twitter pages. We are looking forward to working with both the Youth Services and Investing in Children teams to provide even better facilities for young people in our area.

• The evolution boot camp organised and run by the centre’s health and fitness manager Lee Kennedy started on 14th January and is going from strength to strength
• The boot camps take place every Monday and Wednesday at 7pm – 8pm, and every Sunday at 9.30am – 10.30am

Quotations

Lee commented:

I have been blown away by the response from local people who are so committed to getting themselves fit and healthy. The boot camp is more than your average fitness session, and we take a real interest in each and every person who attends fitness and offer training tips, nutritional advice and much more.

All our ‘boot campers’ are encouraged to attend the weigh in and have before and after photos taken to show the progress they have achieved. The boot camp is now a massive social event, an opportunity for those taking part to meet new friends, get fantastic fitness results, and most importantly have some fun whilst getting fit!

• The boot camp has been launched by Lee Kennedy, a fitness instructor at the centre, and will be beneficial to anyone wanting to transform their body by burning fat and building lean muscle, whilst improving fitness, speed, strength and power
• Lee will also be providing nutrition packs to those taking part, which include weight loss meal plans and recipes
• There will also be monthly weigh in sessions and health checks, to help members track their progress

Quotations

Malcolm Grinstead, Contract Manager at Peterlee Leisure Centre, said:

We are really excited about the Evolution Boot Camps, and we hope it encourages the local community to get involved with fitness at the centre, by giving them an exciting work out which really works, and the opportunity to track their progress with their group!

• Edward, who joined Peterlee Leisure Centre in November 2012, is a support worker for Stonham Outreach Mental Health Group, and will be donating the mountain bike to the Group

Quotations

Malcolm Grinstead, Contract Manager at Peterlee Leisure Centre, commented:

We are delighted that we could present Edward and the Stonham Outreach Mental Health Group with a brand new bike! Edward is a valued member of the gym and it is fantastic to support groups within our community, such as the Stonham Outreach Mental Health Group.

• As members of the swim school, children will be entitled to unlimited free swimming, and adults will be able to swim for just £1
• Both children and adults will learn to swim using the ASA guidelines, and the swim school is open to local people of any age

Quotations

Malcolm Grinstead, Contract Manager at Peterlee Leisure Centre, said:

We have some fantastic swimming courses available for both children and adults at the centre, and it would be great to see members of our local community taking advantage of our fantastic facilities here at Peterlee.

• The agenda day will take place from 12.30pm to 1.30pm and will be an adult free meeting giving local young people the opportunity to have their say about which kinds of activities they would like to leisure centre to offer
• All young people who attend will receive refreshments as well as £5 each for participating

Quotations

Malcolm Grinstead, Contract Manager at Peterlee Leisure Centre commented:

We are really looking forward to hosting our Young People’s Agenda Day, as we think it is very important to find out what the young people in our community think of the centre. Following this feedback, we will then be able to provide a wider range of activities to suit the needs of the young people in our area.

• The funding will enable staff from the centre to work alongside the East Durham Belles, Stonham Home Group and Durham Carers to launch new classes and activity groups
• On 31st October, Chris Reeves, Chief Executive Officer for Leisure in the Community visited Peterlee leisure centre to meet with, representatives from the East Durham Belles and members of the Stonham Home Group

Quotations

Malcolm Grinstead, Contract Manager at Peterlee Leisure Centre, commented:

We are so pleased to have been selected to receive funding from Leisure in the Community, and we’re really excited to invite women, people with mental issues, registered carers and older people to the leisure centre, to not only take part in sport, but to socialise with people and make friends. We really think of the centre as a hub for the community, and this funding is very gratefully received.