Gearing up to help raise charity funds

Manager Caroline Johnson will open the doors of Glo Gym to raise money for the British Heart Foundation

A GYM manager is hosting an open day in aid of a charity which helped save her daughter's life.

Manager of Oldham Glo Gym Caroline Johnson will hold a Push Pump Spin event tomorrow for the British Heart Foundation, which celebrates Heart Month throughout February.

The charity provided vital support and care for Caroline's daughter Ellie Johnson (17) after she went into severe heart failure aged just seven months.

A serious heart defect and lung condition which Ellie had had since she was a baby had gone undetected.

Caroline said: "She had an extra valve on her heart which should not have been there.

"We thought she was going to die. It was touch and go."

Ellie remained at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool until she was discharged just over two months later but soon after being discharged she had to have open heart surgery.

Regular visits to the hospital from the family home in Warrington ensued until Ellie turned 10.

Caroline said: "The British Heart Foundation came to our house and offering counselling support. For families struggling to come to terms with what has happened this is such an important aspect. I didn't realise that was something they did.

"At first they visited us almost every day to help set up the medication from the pharmacy and sort out oxygen. They really helped at a time when there was a lot to take in. They set up all the appointments so I could be with my daughter. I want to raise awareness because a lot of people do not know what they do.

"They provide a brilliant support network as well as the medical side of things.

Caroline has taken on several fundraisers for the charity including the Greater Manchester Run and Tough Mudder to highlight their work and to give something back.

The gym manager of five years will open up Oldham Glo Gym, off Hilbre Avenue, between 9am and 6pm tomorrow for residents to have a look around, do a workout or take part in a class for free.

A two-hour charity spin will also take place as part of the healthy event with 18 Glo members saddling up for a cycling session on the studio's 18 bikes.

Caroline, who will ride one of the spinning bikes, added: "A donation is being taken per bike and an average of 400 to 600 calories can be burnt in a 45-minute session so we could be torching a shared 28,800 calories and raising lots of money at the same time.

"We will be taking donations throughout the day and every penny really will be greatly appreciated."