A Bedfordshire woman is hosting back-to-back fitness classes in memory of a teenager who died from brain cancer.
Clinical therapist, Michele Giles, is hosting three classes on Sunday 12th May including dance fitness, body conditioning and yoga, in memory of George Fox who died in April 2022, aged just 13.
Classes will take place at Silsoe Leisure Centre from 12 noon and are open to all ages and abilities. There is a suggested donation of £10-20 per person with money being raised to help fund research into finding a cure for all brain tumours.
The fitness instructor met George’s mum, Louise (pictured top with husband Matt and son George), a year after his death. Michele said: “When Louise came to a session with me, I could see her pain from losing George. When I saw her again at the start of 2024, I noticed how she had come a long way since our first meeting in 2023.
"Raising money for charity has been therapeutic and cathartic for Louise. I can see how determined she is to help fund research into brain tumours so that other families don’t have to go through the heartache of losing a loved one, let alone a child.”
George, who lived in Barton-le-Clay, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) – an aggressive tumour with a devastatingly short prognosis of just 12 to 18 months – following severe headaches and bouts of vomiting.
The young Arsenal supporter, nicknamed Gorgeous George, underwent multiple brain surgeries, as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and even travelled to Germany and America for treatment. However, the cancer was too aggressive, and he died 11 months after his diagnosis.
Since his death, Louise and her family have raised more than £94,000 for Brain Tumour Research.
Michele (above), who was titled British and European Champion in sports aerobics in 1993, said: “Although I never met George, I have listened to stories about him from family members and have witnessed their grief.
“My hope in hosting a family inclusive fundraising day tied to fitness, is that we can celebrate and honour George’s life and bring energy and awareness to brain tumours. It would be wonderful if each person who comes to a class that day, feels motivated to go and do their own challenges to raise money for a cause they feel so deeply about.”
You can donate to Brain Tumour Research via Michele’s fitness fundraiser and register to take part by visiting: www.gofundme.com/f/family-fitness-day-in-memory-of-george-fox
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