Arm in arm

A team from Edge Hill University will put their biceps to good use when they take part in a 12-hour arm cycle to raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Care on Friday, 15 May, 2009.

The team, made up of both staff and gym-users from the Sporting Edge sport facilities, hope to reach their target of 120km on the arm cycle machine by cycling non-stop between 8am and 8pm.

During the event the team will be offering sports massages and fitness checks to anyone who comes along to support them.

The arm cycle event is just one of a host of events that are taking place at Edge Hill as part of the Inclusive Fitness (IFI) Week.

The first event will highlight people who have benefitted from the IFI-accredited facilties at Edge Hill. Lizzie Simpkin, a 14-year-old Paralympic swimmer from Southport, will take time out of her busy training schedule for the 2012 Paralympics to open IFI week at the University at 2pm on Wednesday 13th May 2009. Admission to the event and refreshments are free and open to all.

Lizzie reached the finals of the 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. She has been earmarked as one to watch for the 2012 London.

The week will come to a close on Sunday, 17 May, with an open event at Sporting Edge from 11am - 4pm. Anyone interested in inclusive fitness can come along and join a free tour around the facilities. The Spartac Gymnastics club will be performing a display during the event and there will also be a series of taster sessions on offer, as well as reduced membership prices and fitness checks.

The week is aimed at raising awareness of the inclusive facilities available for disabled users. Sporting Edge recently won IFI accreditation for its facilities and for increasing exercise participation from all sections of the local community.

Throughout 2009 and early 2010, the Centre will be delivering a programme of seminars and educational events, providing additional support to the fitness and leisure sector in ensuring that not only can facilities be made accessible to disabled people, but that the principles of inclusion impacts upon all business practices.

The IFI has long been regarded as a source of advice to the fitness industry in terms of inclusive provision and through its various projects and funding streams will have supported 400 facilities by the end of 2009 to achieve the IFI Mark Accreditation.

More information is available from Sporting Edge on 01695 584745.