Our 5th Annual Spin-a-Thon is Fast Approaching!

Firstly, we'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken part in, supported, or donated to our charity events over the years. Your generosity has been incredible, and together we've made a real difference to the lives of so many people.

This year, we've made one important change. Spending 6½ hours on a spin bike can be challenging, particularly in the summer heat, so we've moved the event to Saturday, 5th September. We hope this will make the day more enjoyable for everyone taking part.

Our Chosen Charities

This year's Spin-a-Thon will be raising funds for Friends of Serenity and the CHFT Charity – Maternity Bereavement Appeal.

Friends of Serenity

Founded by Jo Edwards in 2013 following the loss of her son, Luke, Friends of Serenity has spent more than a decade supporting bereaved parents by providing practical, emotional, and commemorative support to families across East Lancashire and beyond.

The charity works closely with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, particularly the Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre, helping to improve bereavement care and create compassionate, supportive environments for families during the most difficult of times.

CHFT Charity – Maternity Bereavement Appeal

The Maternity Bereavement Appeal is a £500,000 fundraising campaign to create a dedicated, self-contained bereavement suite and counselling room at Calderdale Royal Hospital.

The new facilities will provide a peaceful, private space for families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal loss. At present, bereavement facilities are located within busy labour wards, where privacy, natural light, and space for families are limited. This appeal aims to ensure that every family in Calderdale and Huddersfield receives the care, dignity, and support they deserve in an environment designed specifically for them.

Why These Charities Matter

These charities are especially close to our hearts, as they provided invaluable support to one of our members and their family during an incredibly difficult time.

This year's Spin-a-Thon is proudly being held in memory of Violet Hartley.

If you would like to learn more about these wonderful charities and the life-changing work they do, please follow the links below. Any support you can give, whether by donating, sharing our page, or simply helping to spread the word, is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our page, and thank you once again for your continued kindness and support. We couldn't do this without you.

On the 15th May, i heard the words, “I’m so sorry, there’s no heartbeat,” my world stopped.

I remember trying to process what I'd just been told, desperately trying to ring my husband but barely able to breathe, let alone find the words. In that moment, I wanted the world to swallow me whole.

We had spent months dreaming about meeting our baby, only to be told we’d never hear her cry. The love you have for your child doesn’t disappear when they’re gone, it has nowhere to go.

As we waited for labour to begin, we could hear newborn babies crying through the hospital corridors while pregnant families walked past us. It was heartbreaking beyond words.

On 16th May, our beautiful daughter, Violet, was born sleeping.

She was absolutely perfect. She had dark hair, little hands just like her daddy’s, and the prettiest little profile, she will always be our little girl.

The silence that followed was deafening. We were asked questions no parent should ever have to answer: How long would you like to spend with her? Would you like to take her home? Would you like a post-mortem? How would you like to say goodbye?

In the middle of the darkest time of our lives, Friends of Serenity were there for us.

They gave us a beautiful memory box, filled with precious keepsakes that we will treasure forever—Violet’s tiny hand and footprints, keyrings, and special mementoes that allow us to hold on to the little memories we have.

They also covered the cost of Violet’s registration of stillbirth, so her little funeral could take place.  In her beautiful blue wicker basket, her final little bed before she returned home to us.

No family should have to worry about finances while navigating unimaginable grief, and thanks to Friends of Serenity, we didn’t have to.

They continue to provide support to bereaved parents during the most devastating chapter of their lives, giving families comfort, memories and compassion when they need it most.

On 5th September, 20 of us from Physique Gym will be taking part in a 6½-hour Spinathon, led by our incredible instructors, to raise money for this amazing charity.

Nothing will ever bring our beautiful Violet back. But knowing that the money we raise could help another family receive the same kindness, support and precious memories that we did means everything to us.

If you’re able to donate, no matter how big or small, you’ll be helping Friends of Serenity continue to provide memory boxes, bereavement support, cold cots, registering still births, and comfort to families facing the unimaginable.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, for remembering our beautiful Violet, and for supporting a charity that will forever hold a special place in our hearts. 💜

Friends of Serenity

Friends of Serenity | Supporting Trisomy 13

Charity Number: 1157866

Maternity Bereavement Appeal - CHFT Charity

Charity Number: 1103694