Cumbrian woman's 24-hour spinathon will help children's health charity

By John Connell

Last updated at 12:32, Tuesday, 19 February 2013

A woman whose daughter died three months ago is organising a 24-hour charity spinathon in her memory.

Kelly Holliday and Shaun Ponticelli get in shape

Kelly Holliday, 33, of Seaton, lost four-year-old Isla on November 1 to a rare genetic disease and is planning to undergo a series of gruelling challenges to raise money for the organisations that helped her daughter during her short life.

The first will be a themed spinathon at Workington Leisure Centre from 6pm on Friday March 15.

The event is part of a massive fundraising drive to support the Rainbow Trust which helps children with terminal or life-threatening illnesses and the West Cumberland Hospital’s Fairfield Ward where Isla received treatment.

Kelly, who will be spinning for 18 hours, said: “We are trying to make it fun for people joining in so that’s why it’s themed. It will be hard: that’s why it’s a challenge. I love a challenge myself and I thought it would be a good way to get everyone in the community involved.

“I go to spinning and I enjoy it and I was thinking of a way to raise money for terminally ill children.

“Most people have kids that would maybe need the Rainbow Trust or Fairfield.”

The spinners will also be able to take part in activities including spin darts and fancy dress, with music from local songstress Sasha Nichol. Dino Pardini, who will be supervising the event, said: “The centre’s studio has 30 bikes, so our challenge is to have a rider for every hour of the 24-hour event.

“That’s 720 places to fill, so there is room for everyone.”

Sessions will cater for all fitness levels and will be led by an experienced instructor. The facilities have been made available free of charge so every penny will go to the chosen charities.

Participants can pay £50 for a 24-hour session; £45 for 18 hours; £30 for 12 hours; £15 for six hours; or £3 for an hour.

At the time Isla was the oldest little girl in the world surviving with Schinzel-Giedion syndrome, a severe and debilitating congenital condition.

First published at 12:20, Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk