In the absence of a Chairperson, Allen Bagshawe our Secretary very kindly volunteered to Chair our September members meeting. Thank you, Allen.
This month the Senior Tigers welcomed Sam Barlow BEM, the founder of FIT MUMS & FRIENDS as our guest speaker. Sam through her work within the community has not only received the BEM, but also a Public Health Hero Award in recognition of her contribution to Public Health & Wellbeing and a Women of Achievement Award as runner-up in the Voluntary & Community Awards. To this day Sam does not know who nominated her for the British Empire Medal.
Sam gave a very interesting, enjoyable and at times emotional presentation about Fit Mums & Friends from its conception as Fit Mums in Cottingham where she lives to the present day with over 1,000 members of over 15 clubs. She told us that it all started in 2009 when she was waiting at the school gates to collect her children. Talking to other mums she asked if they would go running with her. The rest is history as they say.
Sam stated that you don’t have to be a mum or fit, men, dads and grandparents are all welcome. Their ethos is ‘everyone fits’. They are a friendly, sociable and supportive running and walking club organised by volunteers. They also offer bereavement support which includes support for children and young people (6-17yrs) based in a Forest School setting. Sam has first-hand experience of this as she sadly lost her husband and father to her children whilst they were both still very young.
Fit Mums & Friends offers:
Running for all standards of runner.
Buggy Sessions allow you to enjoy a workout while looking after the little ones.
Nordic Walking for all adults. If you walk you can Nordic Walk.
Fitness Walking is aimed at an enjoyable and fun cardiovascular walking workout.
Junior Athletics for children from 5 years to teens are done within a fun and friendly environment.
Cycling for males and females. You don’t need to be fit. It’s a social occasion as much as exercise.
Their Bereavement Support, ‘Together in Grief’ is walk and talk sessions tailored to a person’s needs. ‘In The Pink’ group offers 1-to-1 support where they meet in a café for a chat to understand what is wanted for that person. Fit Mums & Friends even have a choir which is an inter-generational meeting from January to March. Sam explained they also work with people with sight loss and arrange activities suitable for them.
Finally, Sam was asked is it too late to start and the answer was NO.
************************
After Sam Barlow’s presentation, Allen announced that Carol Winter, one of our members has been shortlisted for a Radio Humberside Make a Difference Award in the fundraising category. Carol is a fantastic fundraiser for Sight Support and has raised over £100,000 for it. She is well known to Sam Barlow through Fit Mums & Friends sight loss activities. Well done Carol.
Signing In: We started our signing-in procedure this month. It went fairly smoothly after a couple of hiccups but to be fair that was down to operator error (me) with practice I will get better and get to know your names in time. A big thank you to my husband David for directing members on arrival.
Refreshments were back. On arrival members purchased a drinks voucher costing £2.50 and received a voucher and a packet of biscuits. At the interval, they joined the relevant queue for their chosen drink. It all ran smoothly. A big thank you to Teresa Groom and Alice Wright for taking the money, John & Judy Watt for serving the drinks and sisters Jean & Helen for ensuring the collection of drinks went without a hitch. Out of 118 attendees, 65 took up the drinks offering.
Outings:
Sept 15th Whitby is full
Oct 20th Shibden Hall is full
Nov 16th Drax Power Station & lunch spaces available
Nov 17th Drax Power Station & lunch limited spaces
Nov 24th Meadowhall, Sheffield spaces available
Activities:
Table Tennis: this is proving a very enjoyable afternoon. Held at Haltemprice Sports Centre on Wednesday afternoon’s 2 pm. All welcome.
Swimming: Held at Haltemprice Sports Centre on Thursday evenings 7.30 pm to 9 pm. We have been invited to join the Haltemprice Dolphins disability group which Dave Gibson, one of our members is involved with. It offers lane swimming.
Christmas Meal: It’s that time of year again. Barbara asked for names and whose table you wished to be seated on to be handed to her at our October meeting. The price and menu are yet to be announced.
Committee Appeal: Barbara appealed for new members of our committee. The present committee members are all now in their 70s and ideally, we would like younger members to join us with their enthusiasm and energy.
Raffle: We held our usual raffle which was very kindly drawn by Sam Barlow. Amount raised was £195.00.
Finally, Pat Ellis presented Sam Barlow & Fit Mums & Friends, with a £100 donation from the Senior Tigers and thanked her for the wonderful presentation.
Hopefully, see you all at our October meeting.
Shirley Cormack (Committee Member)
PS Rob Wilson would like to thank all those members who commented on the new microphone system. All the comments were positive so the committee has decided to continue with the new system.
Images from the meeting
Pat Ellis presents £100 donation to Sam Barlow Sam Barlow and colleague Vickie with Barbara
Sam Barlow with the Committee September Raffle Table
Refreshments are back!
