'Fitness class brought me out of my shell after cancer'

Bea and Frank Carter have been going to the class since it started almost three years ago

A fitness class has helped bring a cancer survivor "out of his shell," his wife has said.

West Lindsey Leisure Centre in Gainsborough hosts weekly Fighting Fit sessions to support residents and their loved ones affected by the condition.

Frank and Bea Carter, both 75 and from the town, have been attending following his diagnosis of prostate and bowel cancers.

Mrs Carter said: "It's good for Frank because he can chat to everybody about what's gone wrong. It's brought him out of his shell."

She described the classes, alongside a monthly support group at The Venue at Roses, as "lifesavers", adding there was always "a lot of banter".

"[Frank] was getting a little bit down in the dumps," she said. "Sometimes if you get this worry in your mind it's not always easy to get rid of, so it's good to talk."

Mr Carter, who lives with the prostate cancer but has been stable for a number of years, added: "I'm really lucky because I'm a survivor."

The fitness sessions take place weekly at West Lindsey Leisure Centre in Gainsborough

Another resident, Philip, has been attending the sessions since they began three years ago because he didn't want to lose his social skills.

"Anybody could sit at home with a cup of tea," said the 82-year-old. "[The sessions] help people to forget we're not dead, including us."

According to Yorkshire Cancer Research, fitness and regular exercise can decrease chances of cancer recurrence.

Alice Carter, head of Healthier Communities at Lincoln City Foundation, said the Gainsborough sessions connected those with shared experiences and provided peer support.

Chris Duncan, who runs the classes, said they involve functional movement patterns that helps with everyday life

Chris Duncan, who delivers the Wednesday classes, said the tea, biscuits and chatter afterwards were just as important as the movement itself.

"It helps people's confidence in [believing] what they can do and hopefully that starts to ring true in lots of different situations outside of this class."

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