Carla smashes hospice target
AFITNESS instructor has smashed her fundraising target for the hospice - and now plans to keep going.
Carla Gilder, 32, from Bollington, set herself the task of raising £7,5000 for East Cheshire Hospice, the amount that it costs per day for the centre to run.
She was inspired to help the hospice after losing a her aunt, Rose Eldridge, 76, who died of cancer last July.
Fundraising started last July with the aim of reaching the amount by next month.
But with a variety of events including a fitness class led by Chico Slimani of X Factor at Fallibroome Academy, a Family Fitness Festival, the Born Survivor challenge, Manchester 10km race, as well as coffee mornings, walks and pop up cafes, Carla, her family, friend and clients, smashed the target with a month to go.
The big moment came in the days after she raised more than £500 with a gig at The Poachers pub in Bollington where music was provided by Carla’s father’s band The Braconniers and keyboard and vocalist Paul Leff.
But Carla and the team refuse to rest on their laurels and have pledged to keep fundraising, setting themselves a new target of £10,000 by the end of the year.
Carla, who runs Carla Gilder Fitness CGF, said: “I have always fundrasied for several charities and the hospice has been one of them.
“People always said to me you’ll never realise how much it means until you experience the care for a loved one.
“Last year unfortunately that time came when my aunt Rose spent her last days there. The staff and facilities were fantastic and the whole experience was a great support to my family.
“I decided to fund ‘a day’ for the hospice, this costs £7,500 and I have done this through several events.
“All of my members have embraced this challenge and even got their children along to many of the events.
“I am so happy we hit out target, but we really want to keep going and have a new target. It’s worth the effort.”
If you want to help visit www.justgiving.com/carlagilderfitness.