Twenty members of BW Fitness, based in Manston, will be taking on an epic 1,000 ton challenge tomorrow (August 26).
The fitness studio, run by Tony Doust and named BW (Bear and Wolf) after a comment he made about the different sizes of his twin boys when they were born, will lift 1000 tons in weight restricted to squats, deadlifts, bench and overhead press in a bid to raise funds for Margate’s QEQM’s maternity ward bereavement suite.
The event, which takes place over 12 hours from 9am to 9pm at the gym at The Oaks business park in Invicta Way, will also be running a raffle with prizes donated by a host of isle businesses.
The fundraiser has a £1,000 target, with some £367 already raised.
The maternity bereavement suite was officially opened at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate in October 2017.
East Kent Hospitals Charity supported the project, known as ‘Precious Memories,’ which cost over £100,000 and would not have been possible without the fundraising support and donations from families and local businesses.
The dedicated suite gives families the privacy and comfort they need to help them through the traumatic loss of a baby.
Soundproof walls also ensure that parents are not exposed to the sound of crying babies and other families celebrating the birth of their child. Calming colours and quality soft furnishings set the theme for the suite, which is complete with kitchenette, en-suite bathroom and a separate entrance and exit from the maternity ward.
For Tony, who is a personal trainer, nutritionist, Parkour coach, self defense instructor and sports masseur, it is a cause that is personal to his family.
He said: “In 2011 I lost my daughter to still birth at QEQM. She was 36 weeks. I know a handful of our clients have experienced a similar thing.
“It’s a massive challenge in the name of baby loss awareness but we want to help raise funds for QEQM maternity ward’s Ocean bereavement suite.
“We hope people will pop along on the day and support the brave lot who are taking on this challenge.
“There is also a raffle with all money going to this amazing charity, some great prizes have been donated by some very generous local companies, such as Thanet Bedz, Taylor Meats, Strawberry Fields Coffee House, B Lawson custom carvings, Ibiza Fitness Food, Waggon at Hale as well as some great prizes donated by the BW Fitness family.”
Find the fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/1000tonsforbabyloss