JogOn's online classes help raise hundreds for Berkhamsted hospice

A fitness company that changed its approach to helping people keep fit by moving the classes online has raised over £700 for the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted.

JohOn's founders Erica Carter and Heather Harris, who have been training locals to run for the last four years, are now offering an online 'Strength 4 Hospice' session and asking participants to donate £3 for a low impact class.

With the normal classes unable to continue during the coronavirus pandemic, the ladies took the classes online in a bid to continue to help people keep fit and support the local hospice.

Working via Zoom from their kitchens, the two ladies take 'viewers' through a range of exercises and they've been amazed at the response, they had 52 households logging in for the first session.

Heather, from Berkhamsted, said: "The response has been amazing, we have raised over £700 for the hospice.

"The money from JogOn's beginner classes gets donated to St Francis, and with us unable to do the classes we wanted to think of another way that we could still support the hospice."

As Val, 72 and her husband John, 74, said: "Although we are busy in the garden - I felt different muscles were being used and I felt lighter in body and mind. I'm looking forward to the next one already!"

John, 84, said: "I used to go to a local class and I have been really missing it. It's so hard to motivate myself so if I know these ladies are waiting for me at 12.30 twice a week it makes me get up and do it!"

Encouraged by this success, Erica and Heather have also linked up with Age UK to offer similar courses for older people and those who want a gentle exercise session.

Heather added: "It has been so rewarding to see how older people not only love doing our exercises but also really enjoy the social side of seeing others - even if it's just on the screen - as many of them live alone and are in self isolation.

"It has been a steep learning curve for all of us but which clearly is proving worthwhile!"

For more information about JogOn's fundraising classes visit: www.jogonrunning.com or e-mail: [email protected].

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price.

So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.