Age Concern classes raise cash for charity

Steady as you go participants and charity representatives at yesterday's donation handover. Photo/ Bevan Conley

It's not just people's strength and balance being helped by the Steady As You Go programme at Masonic Court Rest Home.

Four local charities have also benefited from the exercise programme which has been running for the past 18 months.

Organised by Age Concern, it is run at several locations around the wider Whanganui region but those who take the Monday morning session at Masonic Court have used it as an opportunity to raise money for local charities.

Steady As You Go is an hour-long session designed to improve balance, leg strength and general fitness and is open to the community as well as rest home residents.

Members of the community who participant at Masonic Court make a donation which goes into the pot for charity.

Yesterday the group handed over $100 each to the Whanganui branch of Parkinsons New Zealand, MS Wanganui, Alzheimers Whanganui and Wanganui Stroke Support Group.

"We thought it would be nice to spread it out so everybody gets a bit," Masonic Court therapist Tina Wright said.

She expected the group might be able to make further donations at the end of the year.

"It's been very successful over the last 18 months."

Those interested in attending the Steady As You Go classes can contact Janet Lewis at Age Concern.