Fiona Fraser's Forres Spinathon

On Saturday 25th February our Wellbeing Peer Support Advisor, Fiona Fraser organized and took part in a sponsored Spinathon in Forres IV36, in aid of Spinal Injuries Scotland.

The day was an amazing success with 32 Spinners taking part over 4hrs raising an incredible £740!!

 

Here’s the day in Fiona’s words,

“Spinathon on Saturday was brilliant and lots of fun, I had loads of support from family, friends and fellow spinning friends. Debbie works for Moray Council part of the fit life scheme her classes are in Forres House Community Centre and Forres Swimming Pool. It ran from 10am to 2pm,

there was 11 bikes and people were able to book in for an hour spinning class paying £10 per hour per bike to the charity, they could do more than 1hr if they liked. Some did 2hrs, myself and one other and Debbie did the 4hrs. Debbie had great tunes playing and changed her play list to be different every hour and did it like a normal spinning class every hour with hard tension at times, standing up, squats and hovering back, it wasn't easy. The squat track was Bring Sally Up, Bring Sally Down, oucha did that burn (well I can't feel my legs but I'm sure it did) Everyone did amazing and thank you so much for supporting me, I managed the 4hrs spinning with great encouragement to keep going from the instructor Debbie Hutchinson.

There was 32 people did the Spinathon and the amount raised was £740 an amazing amount thank you so much to everyone who paid for their spin or donated.

I wanted to raise money for Spinal Injuries Scotland as they helped me through my journey with their peer support, which I am now doing that job to help others come to terms with a life changing situation. I have had a spinal cord injury for 6yrs and 9 months, I broke my neck C4 to C6 and I was paralysed from the chest down, I was told I'd never walk again, after 5 months in the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow I walked out of there with 2 sticks and told to find a good PT Instructor to help get me stronger. Debbie, as well as others have been a part of me getting stronger, and doing my own rehab, going to her fitness classes where she would keep a close eye on me making sure my technique was correct. When I started spinning Debbie used to help me get on and off the bike, and sometimes my spasms used to throw me off, but with sheer determination, support and loving Debbie's class I fought through it and now I've just done 4hrs spin. I'm fitter than ever and exercise helps with my pain, my husband Stewart who has been a brilliant support says I'm never home as I swim 2 miles a week, Pilates, spin classes, PT sessions and out on my bike every weekend. The longest cycle lately was Skye Bridge to Kessock Bridge 78 miles and the next one is Loch Ness Etape 66 miles. All my family have been there for me, I'm so lucky to have the support circle which keeps me going, I will always be partially paralysed but nothing stops me from doing everything in an adapted way and a slower pace. All good fun.”