Heysham sports centre's delight at gym donation by hotel group

A hotel group has helped a Heysham sports and community centre get fit for the future with a special donation.

English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues has donated gym equipment to Heysham Mossgate Sports and Community Centre.

This includes an array of cardiovascular apparatus including treadmills, cross trainers, rowing machines and spin bikes.

There is also a full range of resistance machines and free weights including dumb-bells, bar bells and a versatile Smith machine.

"Our community centre here really is ‘hand to mouth’ when it comes to finances," said David Brayshaw, director of Heysham Mossgate Sports and Community Centre.

"Our income from the gym is really important as it supports the fantastic work that we do with the kids on our 3G pitch.

“The gym equipment we had was old and in quite a poor state of repair.  This had an adverse effect on membership and income.

“The upgraded equipment donated to us by English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues has enabled us to move the gym into a bigger room and our members are really pleased with it all.  We’re already seeing members return and new members joining.

“This donation has made a huge difference to us and we are extremely grateful to English Lakes Hotels for their generosity and thought."

David, who owns Aqua Engineering in Morecambe, is also a trustee of Morecambe FC Community Foundation, the official charity of Morecambe Football Club.

The Foundation operates a range of projects supporting education, health, social inclusion and sports participation.

Its programmes include extensive work with schools, local partnerships, charities and other organisations, supporting initiatives which promote health and well-being, especially for those with special needs or from socially deprived areas.

Michael Kay, English Lakes Hotels & Venues director, said: "We have worked with David and Ben Brayshaw and their respective teams for many years and it’s a privilege to have been able to help them make a difference with this project which is so close to their hearts."

Gary Tennant from the hotel group was invited to visit the community centre to see how the donated apparatus has improved the facilities for members, as well as the overall look and feel of the gym. 

“It was great to see the gym equipment put to beneficial use again and the whole layout has had a much deserved refresh," said Gary.

"Hopefully it will help the community centre to attract more members and put it on a firmer footing."

English Lakes Hotels & Venues runs the Lancaster House Hotel in Lancaster.