Coatbridge resident inspires neighbours to complete challenge for dementia

Coatbridge resident inspires neighbours to complete fitness challenge and raise awareness of dementia

A COATBRIDGE resident has inspired neighbours to get fit and raise awareness of people living with dementia by organising a burpee challenge.
Lorna Hart-Thomson, from Carnbroe, a dementia advisor with Alzheimer Scotland started her street fitness class, Lorna’s Lungers in Lockdown, in a bid to get to know her neighbours and raise funds for the charity.
And having previously worked in the fitness and wellbeing world for over 20 years, she was determined to motivate her crew.
Lorna told the Advertiser: “I’ve always been in fitness. I worked in gyms and as a personal trainer.
“A couple of the girls said they were missing the gym and classes.
“The issue we have is that we are all mums, so we decided to get together at 7am.
“Everyone knew someone with dementia, so we set ourselves a challenge to complete one burpee for every £1 raised.”
Lorna and lungers Moira Kingsman, Donna Lennox, Elena Offord and Yvonne McKane successfully completed their Do it for Dementia! fundraiser and raised over £300 to support those living with the disease.
A delighted Lorna enthused: “We set ourselves a challenge and did 320 burpees.
“Everyone was more than happy to donate and we raised £320.”
Lorna, 35, who lives in the village with husband Alan and one-year-old son Harvey is a passionate advocate for dementia.
She explained: “There are over 90,000 people living with a diagnosis in Scotland. Lanarkshire alone has over 10,000 families.
“We have changed from a face-to-face approach to a virtual community.
“Since lockdown we offer carer conversations, sporting memories, and a ‘name that tune’ music quiz.
“All of that is on a video call for any member or family member who is struggling. We are still here for everybody.
“We also have a 24-hour helpline for families. Most importantly the message is Alzheimer Scotland are still here.”
For more information, email LHart-Thomson@alzscot.org, contact her on 07810 330980 or the charity’s 24/7 dementia helpline on 0808 808 3000.