Gynastics club

A Glasgow gym club has launched a fundraising drive that will see the sporting stars of the future raising money for CLIC Sargent.

Zippy Totz and Zippy Kidz Gymnastic Clubs in Giffnock kicked off a jam packed year of fundraising on Thursday 5 February to help families affected by childhood cancer.  The organisation currently has 500 youngsters on membership who are professionally trained in gymnastics from the ages of 1 to 13. Throughout 2009 the children and their parents will be taking part in a series of fundraisers organised by staff at the club. The fundraising started with the sale of CLIC Sargent merchandise including bracelets and teddy bears. Plans are also in the pipeline for other fundraising events ranging from raffles to gymnastic displays and sponsored walks.

All the money raised will be donated to CLIC Sargent. Among the members taking part in the club’s fundraising drive will be seven-year-old Calum. He and his family have had first-hand experience of the services provided by CLIC Sargent. Calum was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2005 just before his birthday. He finished his three-year course of treatment in July 2008 and has now been in remission for the last sixth months.  

Calum’s mum, Susan, said: “To have a child diagnosed with leukaemia is absolutely devastating and I could never put into words just how difficult the last three years have been. The emotional support we received from CLIC Sargent was invaluable. The charity offered us help when we most needed it. Now by supporting this fundraiser we can help raise vital funds to support other families who, like our own, have been affected by childhood cancer.”

Also supporting the fundraising drive will be Steve Frew, who picked up Scotland’s first ever Commonwealth gymnastics gold medal for a great performance on the rings in 2002, and winner of 20 world and European tumbling medals, Philippa Musikant, - both of whom coach at the club.

Local community fundraising manager for CLIC Sargent, Richard Donald, said he is delighted that the club has chosen to raise vital funds for the charity.

“Today another ten families will hear that their child has cancer,” he said. “But right now CLIC Sargent can only help two out of three of them. With help from organisations like Zippy Totz and Zippy Kidz Gymnastic Clubs we can be there for each and every one.”

For more information contact CLIC Sargent’s local community fundraising manager, Richard Donald on 07920 584 687.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

• For any media enquiries please contact Suzanne Palmer in the CLIC Sargent press office on 0117 3148621 or email: suzanne.palmer@clicsargent.org.uk