Fifers show support to sports and leisure facility during crisis

Bosses at Fife Sports and Leisure Trust have paid tribute to customers across the region who have chosen to pay their memberships in spite of facilities being closed.

Since the coronavirus lockdown, the charitable trust has frozen all direct debits for its membership scheme, Leisure Active, but some locals voluntarily reinstated the payments in order to support the Fife Health and Wellbeing Fund which runs a programme for people with long-term health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, dementia and COPD.

They include Catherine Paisley, from Thornton, who said: “All the instructors at Fife Leisure have been amazing with their live virtual classes at this very strange and difficult time especially as we have no end in sight at the moment. It has certainly kept me sane.”

Margaret Newton, from Burntisland, is another who wanted to help. “I realise it’s a tiny contribution to the trust’s funds,” she said.

“Hopefully one day, I’ll be able to return to swimming regularly at my wonderful local pool, the Beacon in Burntisland.”

Scott Urquhart, sport and physical activity manager, said: “The support we have received has been amazing and we are very thankful that customers have chosen to help a local organisation in these difficult times.

“Our Health and Wellbeing Fund is vital to the organisation’s ability to continue to deliver our health programme and make a difference to people living with long-term health conditions.”

He also thanked everyone who had been taking part in the trust’s live virtual fitness sessions.

“It has really helped our staff to know that the trust is valued by so many people,” he said.

“Our teams are working to prepare for a phased re-opening of some facilities, with all the appropriate health and safety measure in place, as and when the government permits.”