The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

DOING WHAT they can to lend a helping hand to Bahamian communities in need, the members and staff at Club One Fitness Centre at Sandyport have created a new outreach project - Sole 2 Sole.

The initiative is designed to take steps for those who cannot take steps for themselves and has started with the Run Club, which will raise funds for the Bahamas Association For The Physically Disabled (BAPD).

Dianne Gibson, Assistant Manager at Club One Fitness Centre, said the Sole 2 Sole Run Club recently took part in the 242 Colour Run, and they look forward to participating in many future events and activities.

The registration fee for the Run Club is $25 a year for members of Club One and $50 for non-members. Ms Gibson said they have already started raising funds for the BAPD. The 15 registration fees so far have gone to the BAPD as have proceeds from the sale of Sole 2 Sole tee shirts, which cost $15 and $25.

“The Association had a bus which is now not repairable,” Ms Gibson said. “They need a new handicapped accessible bus. The cost of this bus is close to $90,000 and they need about $45,000-$50,000 to get this bus. When I heard that it really touched my soul because it was during the time school was starting and they were having issues with getting the kids to school and organising ways to get them to school without this bus. That was the catalyst that got my heart really feeling to get this thing started right away.”

She said they run many programmes and activities at Club One Fitness Centre but they wanted to take things a step further with Sole 2 Sole.

“If every one of our members gives a dollar, that’s $1,200 dollars.,” Ms Gibson said. “The type of people that are drawn to Club One as a gym, they tend to be persons who are community minded and concerned about the environment. With our 1,200 members plus the public, we want to raise as much of that $45,000-$50,000 as we can and as quickly as we can.”

Sole 2 Sole, Ms Gibson said, can cater to any organisation or environment where there is a need. Whether it is a clean up project or lending a hand in someway, they want to do it. During the Christmas period, she said they usually do something for children and during Thanksgiving they organise food-drives.

“We found a unique thing that a lot of other places that do similar things have reached out to us to partner with us to make these things even more successful. This first project, The Run Club, we want to take it one step at a time and make the Bahamas an even better place. That is why we used as the logo, the image of the feet running, it demonstrates going forward and getting better. For each little project that we do, it may feel like tiny steps, but it’s a tiny step forward,” said Ms Gibson.

The Run Club - which is supported by the Rotary Club - meet at Club One Fitness Centre on Mondays at 5am, Thursdays at 7pm and Saturdays at 6am.

On the Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, there are assessments done on the runners to determine whether they are at a beginners, intermediate or advanced level.

The assessment is done on a treadmill and once it is determined how avid of a runner they are and at what level, a distance or a route would be given. They would then be paired with other persons of similar capability.

“They have those days that are set aside for them for the Run Club but at the same time there will be things that they will take part in together. For example, if a Fun Run Walk comes up, we will do it together with our shirts on and make a fun day out of it. Again there are those voluntary aspects where if we do a clean up or something, we would all pitch in as a club,” said Ms Gibson.

Ms Gibson said a benefit of taking part in the Run Club is the fact that a member can be any level of runner. A beginner can join, do an assessment and there is a programme in place to get them started where they do part-walking, fast-walking or walk-jogging. Then there are those that are more serious and they actually want to get instructions on technique and drive to get even better and more efficient.

“Unfortunately nowadays it is unsafe for ladies to walk out in the dark or by themselves, so another benefit is now we have a group and the safety factor is of course really important. The most important thing is that we are making a difference in the Bahamas and we are having a good time and having fun doing it,” said Ms Gibson.

People interested in joining the Run Club or making a donation to the Bahamas Association For The Physically Disabled through the Run Club, should email Club One Fitness Centre at info@clubonebahamas.com or phone 327-2685.