10 Year Celebration - Leigh-on-Sea

Share this story!

Leigh News. A LEIGH-based exercise rehab group for people who have experienced cancer, celebrated its tenth anniversary in style with a celebration tea.

A LEIGH-based exercise rehab group for people who have experienced cancer, celebrated its tenth anniversary in style with a celebration tea.

Ondie Woods, founder of Beat It Cancer Rehab class, organised a joyous celebration at Mad Dogs and Englishmen for class members, to celebrate their award-winning group’s success, and all the people that make it such a special part of Leigh.

For Ms Woods, who had over 32 years’ experience as a personal fitness trainer and is a qualified level 4 cancer rehab exercise specialist, the afternoon was very important: “We celebrated 10 years, after opening in May 2103.

The staff at Mad Dogs and Englishmen made it really wonderful for us, with fantastic afternoon tea treats, and amazing staff that couldn’t do enough for us.”

Over the 10 years that Beat It has been running, it has garnered huge praise and awards, and many loyal members, whilst winning Good for Leigh Award, and the Waitrose Good for the Community Award.

Ms Woods herself won Southend Citizen of the Year Bronze Award 2018 and Essex Activity Hero Award for her tireless work and commitment to helping people feel better, both physically and mentally.

It has been a labour of love for Ms Woods, who started the group in memory of her mother, who sadly died of cancer.

Her mother Maureen gave Ms Woods the inspiration to keep motivated and help others with her skills and passion.

Ms Woods explained: “Beat It started off specifically for Breast cancer patients, however over the years we have taken all people with any cancer.

“We even continued online during Covid to help support and continue the vital exercise sessions that were so desperately needed.”

Ms Woods added: “It is a friendly, happy, uplifting graded class that includes muscular strength, endurance, mobility and a fantastic social support network with other members who know exactly what you are going through.

“It is not a numbers game, it is a very personal class that looks after and cares for you.”

The class runs every Thursday 11.30-12.30 pm at Leigh Community Centre in Leigh.

For more information, telephone 07870 441 158.

You can also visit: http://www.ondiewoodstotalfitness.com/beat-it-cancer-rehab.html

Picture: Ondie has many years’ experience as a fitness instructor and physical therapist.

about author

Editor