A FAMILY fun day is returning to Deeside Leisure Centre in memory of a woman who lost her brave battle with cancer.
The second annual Family Fun and Fitness Festival will be held at the centre on Sunday, February 10 in honour of Zoe Martin, a former member of staff with Flintshire Council’s sports development team, who died in July 2011 aged just 32.
All proceeds from the event will go to Nightingale House Hospice, where Zoe, a keen athlete and gymnast, was treated before she died, surrounded by family and friends.
She moved to live in Australia but returned to Hawarden after being diagnosed.
Her mother, Jenny Taylor, said: “I can't think of any better way to remember Zoe than to get as many people as possible into the gym. She would be delighted.
“Nightingale House Hospice deserves all the help it can get because it does such a great job.”
Julie Rice-Williams, who works at Nightingale House and organises the event, said: “The sports development team feel this festival is a fitting tribute to Zoe, who loved sport.
“She was a much-loved friend and colleague and an inspiration to many.”
There will be a range of activities and fitness sessions available for the whole family from 9.30am to 1pm and all instructors and staff will be working voluntarily.
Councillor Peter Macfarlane, cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and leisure, said: “I am pleased this is our second annual event and we hope to continue hosting this family event on an annual basis in Zoe’s memory.”
The sports development team also plan to hold similar events across some of the other main leisure centres in Flintshire, with a range of activities and fitness classes on offer.
Bookings for the February 10 event must be made by telephone in advance and all entry fees will be donated to the hospice.
For more information call Julie Rice-Williams on 01352 702463 or email julie_rice-williams@flintshire.gov.uk.