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Mayor's Challenge: 2 Weeks to go!

Thursday, 25th April 2019


The Mayor of Pendle’s challenge is well underway and there’s only two weeks left until his final task of climbing Pendle Hill.

Since the beginning of January, Councillor James Starkie has been on a mission to lose weight and shape up to raise funds for additional swimming lessons for Pendle children who need extra help learning to swim.

Councillor Starkie has overhauled his diet from unhealthy food and drink to healthier alternatives and attended regular gym sessions and fitness classes.

With the help of Pendle Leisure Trust’s fitness instructors, he has lost just short of two stones in weight and fourteen inches after fifteen weeks.

He said: “Although I have lost weight and inches, the biggest change has been my stamina. I went for a four mile walk on Monday to Ogden Reservoir, which I completed relatively easily – and that’s all down to Pendle Leisure Trust.”

He’s also still just as determined to reach the summit of Pendle Hill – and he’s inviting everyone to join him! Meet the Mayor at the top of Pendle Hill at 1pm on Saturday, May 11th. The Mayors of Burnley and Ribble Valley have agreed to take part in the hike and they want as many other people to join them.

But don’t worry if you can’t make it on the day, you can still show your support by donating to Councillor Starkie’s JustGiving fundraising page to help children of Pendle learn how to swim at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/pendle-mayors-challenge

The Mayor is hoping to raise £1,000, which will pay for a number of Year 6 Pendle primary school pupils to take part in crash courses to enable them to reach the national curriculum standard. If he can raise £2,000, a number of Year 5 pupils can also take part in the crash courses at Pendle Leisure Centre in Colne.

He said: “I understand whilst most children go swimming with school and learn successfully, there are a few that slip through the net for various reasons and need the extra lessons. Therefore, I want to raise money to help these children.”

The Mayor is being supported in his campaign by Melanie Goodship, whose 17-year-old son, James, died after drowning at Foulridge Reservoir in June 2014. He had been playing on a raft with friends and got into difficulties trying to swim back to shore.

So, if you have nothing planned for Saturday, May 11th, put the date in your diary and meet the Mayor at the top of Pendle Hill. Then enjoy the walk back down together while congratulating him on his achievement!

If the Mayor's story has inspired you to improve your fitness, why not give us a try - sign up for a free 7 day pass and get access to unlimited gym, swim and classes for a whole week. Just click here to sign up.

Councillor James Starkie chatting to BBC Radio Lancashire's Brett Davison during one of his workouts. 

Missed hearing him on the radio? Catch up and listen online - click here.