Woman raises £ 3k after ‘ tough’ menopause inspires classes
A WOMAN has raised thousands of pounds after her menopause inspired her to launch fitness classes.
Vicki Houston, from Bearsden, has raked in £ 3000 for the Beatson Cancer Charity by hosting CardioFunk sessions for the community.
The 53- year- old revealed leading the sessions has helped manage her “tough” menopause symptoms and has improved her wellbeing.
Vicki decided to support the Beatson after it looked after her mother, Isabel Heffernan from Coatbridge, who sadly passed away at 76- years- old in 2020 while battling lung cancer.
She said: “The menopause is tough and getting back into teaching has alleviated my menopause symptoms and has helped my fitness and wellbeing, particularly after the pandemic.
“Also during this time, I sadly lost my mum to lung cancer where the Beatson provided the best care, treatment and support to her. I decided to volunteer my time, go back to teaching and do something that was going to have a positive impact on me, the local community and raise money for a cause which is close to most people’s hearts across the west of Scotland.
“I never thought we’d have raised this much because having not taught for so long, I wasn’t sure how the classes were going to go.
“The ladies that attend the classes are so supportive because they know that the money is going directly to the Beatson – I think everyone’s got a connection there.”
CardioFunk is similar to Zumba, promoting fitness through dancing for all ages. Some participants have either been patients or have supported others who have been going through treatment at the Beatson.
Vicki has worked for BAE Systems for 32 years and was heavily involved in the organisation’s menopause campaign. She said: “Having been a fitness instructor, a dancer and a dance teacher for many years, I took a break from teaching to raise my family.
“My day job as a project manager also took me all over the country, working in different parts of the UK, so I decided to start up classes again to do something positive.
“Everybody’s just amazed when I give an update on how much we’re raising so I think it really motivates us all to keep coming so it’s a really positive thing not just for me personally but for the whole community.”
Vicki says there’s no plan on stopping any time soon as it’s inspired new challenges.
She continued: “I’m hoping in a month or so we’ll run a 100- minute workout and have a dedicated session to raise money all for the Beatson and we’ll have that as a separate activity over and above the classes.”