February fundraiser and raffle sees over £2500 donated by Flintshire gym owner

A Flintshire fitness facility has completed their February fundraiser for charity as well as organise a raffle for another close cause.

AF Fitness Flintshire, based in Flint, started their ‘Walk 1000 Miles for Cancer’ challenge last month and raised a total of £1,605 for the North Wales Cancer Appeal.

Gym owner Ricky Nicholson and his team decided to fundraise after one of their member’s brothers was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma.

Halfway through the fundraiser however, Ricky found out one of his friends was diagnosed with Meningococcal Septicaemia – a life-threatening infection which saw both their legs amputated.

Cher Little, 46, developed a high temperature and headache as well as a fever on October 6, 2020 and was therefore booked in for a Covid test.

She started to then develop a rash on her face the next day however, which saw her family call for an ambulance where she was taken to A&E for urgent treatment.

After surgery and time spent in hospital, a fundraiser was subsequently started by Cher’s sister, Sian Lloyd, with funds going towards house adaptations or prosthetics Cher might need.

Ricky and his AF Fitness Flintshire team started a raffle to help raise £1000 for the fundraiser with various prizes such as a signed Rugby shirt going to the winners.

Ricky said: “I have known Cher most of my life with being in primary and secondary school together, so when I heard what had happened it was a no brainer for me to help. It doesn’t matter to me if I haven’t seen people for years – a friend is a friend, so I was more than happy to do what I could.”

More than £36,000 has been raised out of the current £40,000 target, £20,000 of which was donated within just 24 hours of the fundraiser being started.

Ricky and his team are also grateful for those who have helped them raise funds for North Wales Cancer Appeal during their February fundraiser.

He said: “The fundraiser has been amazing as we have gotten people out and active whilst helping raise valuable funds for a fantastic charity in the North Wales Cancer Appeal.

“The community members group at Athlete Factory Fitness Flintshire smashed the 1000 miles in 14 days and went on to complete over 1600 miles, raising over £1500.”

“I am hoping that on the next review there will be more good news regarding the opening of gyms in Wales. In the meantime I am getting the facility 100% ready for when we are given the green light. 

“I would like to thank everyone that has supported the charity and the support for Cher – it shows just how kind people can be!”

To donate to Cher Little to help with house adaptations and prosthetics she might need, visit https://uk.gofundme.com/f/support-for-cher-and-her-recuperation.

To donate to the fundraiser for North Wales Cancer Appeal, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ricky-nicholson-1?utm_term=W9xPK5NMK&fbclid=IwAR1lpE_2lOCa-hsUnQ6p0mDdSPLG8YN0JFWbsDpc5N_-C1Uqr3BXNHFmoaM.

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By Jordan Adams

[Photograph taken before social distancing measures were introduced]