David Morris MP has today written to Lancashire County Council to urge them to run free fitness classes for Mums in their Sure Start Centres.
Gabi Crossley from Bolton Le Sands runs Fit4all, which provides fitness classes for women of all ages and ability. Gabi approached Sure Start and offered to run free classes for 3 weeks in each centre, free of charge to the mums and also free of charge to Sure Start. Sure Start have refused her offer and would also not advertise her free class.
Gabi Said:
'I found out how difficult it was to find time to exercise with a family after having my son 3 years ago. So I set these classes up and everyone who comes wishes they had known about them sooner! I'm trying my best to advertise but as a relatively new and small business it's difficult to have the funds to really pursue all avenues and SureStart is one of the first places you turn to as a new Mum, so where better to show people what's available? I want to offer these short courses for free at the SureStart venues to make them even more accessible to people and hopefully show how committed i am to getting as many people as possible active. I couldn't believe that they weren't biting my hand off given the wide spread publicity of obesity and inactivity causing all sorts of health complications not to mention the positive effect exercise has on mental health'
Gabi contacted her Member of Parliament David Morris MP who recently attended one of Gabi’s classes in Williamson’s park.
Speaking from his constituency office David Morris MP said;
‘I am extremely perplexed as to why Sure Start would not want to support a young woman offering free classes to the people who use their centres. I saw Gabi’s class first hand in the park and I was impressed by the professionalism of the training and at how much both the mums and their children enjoyed taking part. I have written to the Chief Executive of Lancashire County Council and have urged that she reconsider Sure Start’s position on these classes’
‘I would encourage all new mums who want to try something new to contact Gabi as her classes are fantastic’