Published on: Thursday 21st July 2011
Helping Heroes
A KAL fitness instructor achieved her goal of cycling, running and swimming non-stop for 12 hours for Help for Heroes.
Mariella Dobson, 25, who works at the Stadium Pool & Fitness Complex, raised an amazing £380 for military charity Gym for Heroes, part of the popular Help for Heroes charity.
Mariella, known as Stella, set up a treadmill and two spin bikes in the Stadium Pool reception area on Tuesday July 26th from 7am until 7.30pm. Members of the public and fellow colleagues took part with her for short stints to spur her on. Even her mum Anna came over from Blackpool and ran and cycled with her for three hours. Well done Mum!
She said: “I wanted to do a really tough challenge that people could take part in along the way, and where it would also help raise awareness of the charity.
“I asked everyone for a minimum of a pound donation but many people but much more in and the customers here were very generous.
"The hardest bit was the swimming - I was by myself for most of it and I did it in shorts and t-shirt so everything ached. But I managed fine really and didn't even hurt much the next day!"
She only broke off from her challenge for short comfort breaks and make up any time missed, including changing time before and after her swim, at the end of the 12 hours. Her boyfriend Adam Chamberlain joined her towards the end of her challenge for the last 20 minutes.
“My boyfriend’s brother Tom Chamberlain, who lives in Dalton, is serving in Nad-e-Ali in Afghanistan at the moment with the Royal Marines,” she said. “He is 24 years old and we can’t wait for him to return home in October.
“We have told Tom what we are doing and he thinks it’s very cool! He is looking forward now to coming home and spending some time with his friends and family.”
She added: “This challenge is going to be a real struggle, but nothing like as hard as it is for Tom and his fellow marines day in, day out. I just want people to think about what they are up against and to give them some support.”
Fantastic effort Stella!
Alternatively, go to her online giving website www.bmycharity.com/kalstadiumhealthandfitnesscomplex
