Sh’bat charity event raises over £400

Pippa Waller, Debbie Sands, Rachel Harrison and Sher Green, have raised over £400 through an annual charity event, held at Derriford Health and Leisure Centre, which they have kindly donated to the Plymouth Hospital Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Trust Fund.

The fitness event was called ‘Sh’bat’, a combination of Sh’bam and Body Combat and was held on 31st May. Around 200 people attended, ranging from young children to elderly and a total of over £800.00 was raised. This was then split between the two chosen charities – The CF Trust Fund and Jeremiah’s Journey.

The CF Trust fund is particularly close to Sher Green’s heart, as she has known the family of Matthew Fox, a two year old boy suffering with CF, for many years. Matthew receives regular treatment in the unit at Derriford Hospital.

Sher, a personal trainer from Plymouth, said: “I am extremely close to the family of Matthew and have been for many years. I loved seeing so many people wanting to support something that means so much to me.”

The Paediatric Cystic Fibrosis Trust Fund supports local children with Cystic Fibrosis.  Due to the cross infection risks between children with CF, it is advised that the children do not mix with each other.

The money raised will help to provide Christmas treats for the children, as they are unable to attend Christmas parties with each other. The fund also purchases much needed physiotherapy equipment that the children use on a daily basis to help clear the thick secretions from their lungs.

Nicola Fox, Matthew’s mum said: “Firstly I would like to thank my good friend Sher Green, who I have known for approximately 14 years, for organising this event and for the generous contribution to the Cystic Fibrosis Team based at Derriford, where my son Matthew gets seen regularly in clinic.

“It is essential to raise awareness of CF. It is a dreadful, incurable disease that not enough people are aware of and without awareness and fund-raising, there will never be a cure.

“Matthew is a star - he amazes me every single day and makes me and everyone around him laugh. We don’t want to lose him early and the only way a cure will be found is if more money is put into research.  CF has taken over our lives, but if there is a tiny glimpse of hope for a cure then it would mean the world to us.”

If people wish to donate, fund raise or learn more, they can do so on www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk