Each of our health clubs and spas sponsor a child through the Compassion Charity’s sponsorship programme. Compassion UK is a Christian Charity which helps children aged between 3 years and 22 years break free from the cycle of poverty. We currently sponsor 30 children and this funding helps with education, health care, hygiene training and the provision of food. In addition, our clubs and spas fund raise for the communities where our sponsored children live. We have provided financial support of more than £100,000 over a nine year period as well as the time of our staff teams. In 2006, three of our staff team visited Uganda for four days to meet some of our sponsored children and to see a play area in their community which our staff and customers had raised funds for.

How did it start?

When we (a team led by Dave Courteen, our Managing Director) bought the Fitness Express business back from Crown Sports (we subsequently founded Imagine Spas) in 2004, we wanted to find a charity to support which was consistent with our vision of ‘making a difference to people’s lives’ be they members, staff or clients.

Objectives

To make a positive difference to the lives of the children we sponsor and the communities they live in.

Why is this project important?

It allows our staff teams to extend their abilities in looking after others. We are fortunate to work with lots of caring and talented people who work hard to provide customer satisfaction. This project further harnesses those talents and abilities to help support children in one of the poorest regions of the World.

Project resources

We have provided financial support which totals in excess of £100,000 over a nine year period in addition to the time of staff teams.

Project results

We have sponsored over 40 children and currently have 30 active sponsorships. In addition, we have raised over £40,000 to help fund improvements in the communities where these children live.