Inspiring coach's final class after 37 years

Sue Green has been leading aerobics classes at Kingswood Active Lifestyle Centre since 1988

A fitness instructor has raised hundreds of pounds for a homeless charity in the last session of her 37-year career.

Sue Green has been a part of Kingswood Active Lifestyle Centre in South Gloucestershire since 1988 but is now retiring in time for her 66th birthday.

She has gained a reputation for her charity work and the proceeds from her final session on Monday went to the Julian Trust - a homeless charity in St Paul's, Bristol, where she has volunteered for 12 years and is a trustee.

"People have been so kind, we charged £5 per person to come to the class but they've been giving so much more," said Ms Green.

"It's just ballooned and it's been phenomenal what people have donated."

The Julian Trust Night Shelter has been providing people experiencing homelessness with a place to stay, a hot meal and somewhere to wash themselves and their clothes since 1987.

As well as fundraising for the charity - Ms Green has also set up a donation point at the leisure centre to collect food and other essential supplies.

"We're a very small charity and rely heavily on donations so this is a lifeline for us," said Hannah Martin, treasurer of the Julian Trust.

"Sue's a really compassionate and caring individual who helps the guests that come into our shelters so much."

Ms Green says she will be making good use of her free lifetime membership at the leisure centre

Things looked a lot different when Ms Green started getting into fitness nearly 40 years ago.

"Back then the fitness was in the Jane Fonda days with the more jumping and jiving the better it was - but it's not like that now," said Sue.

"It's a lot more low impact and you can get just as much out of a low impact class as you can doing jumping jacks."

Ms Green said back in those days wearing headbands, leg warmers and leotards to the gym made her feel "like the bees knees".

The 80s attire was out in force on Monday as 100 people packed into the sports hall for the final session lead by Ms Green in a rainbow tutu and matching sweat bands.

"It's been emotional, we've been with her for such a long time," said participant Karen Davidson.

"She was an inspiration because she kept us going, there were times where you would come in not wanting to do any exercise and she'd get going then you wanted it to go on forever."

"I'm really going to miss her, I've been going to her classes since before she came to the leisure centre" said Marlene Hill.

"She's just so nice and will do anything for anybody."

Despite having kept on teaching after two knee and two hip replacements Ms Green says she intends to make good use of the free lifetime membership at the leisure centre.

"I don't think I'll be sat in front of the telly very much," she said.