A Vauxhall-based CrossFit gym, Sleven Fitness, which prides itself on its sociable approach to training, has taken the positive vibes to another level.

Last year, after gym co-owner Tim Lawrence (62) was diagnosed with tonsil cancer, the team decided to get active for a good cause.

With the support of the gym’s coaches and members alike, Sleven Fitness (78-79 Albert Embankment SE1 7TP) hosted a 12-hour ‘WODathon’ (work-out-of-the-day) fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Taking place on 17th September 2022, the fitness fans at Sleven worked out every hour for 12 hours straight and raised a staggering £22,000 in the process – smashing their original fundraising target of £5,000 by a massive 340%!

Tim Lawrence (62)

Tim explained why he and the team were inspired to fundraise for Macmillan:

“I was diagnosed with a tonsil carcinoma in June 2022. The treatment (chemoradiotherapy) left me unable to work and I lost 25% of my body weight, leaving me hugely weakened. My job – I co-own a gym and coach strength and fitness – requires a certain level of physical capability and, although I returned to work full-time in January and I’m slowly rebuilding my strength, I’m still unable to coach.

“The idea for the fundraiser came about because the gym is a close-knit community and many members were asking what they could do to help me. My business partner Nick, aware that I’d had support from Macmillan, suggested a challenge event to raise funds.

“I came into contact with Macmillan through the support that Macmillan gives to UCLH where I was, and continue to be, treated.

“I also found Macmillan’s information booklets incredibly helpful in better understanding the treatment that I was to undergo. And I was also very impressed to receive a call from Macmillan shortly after being diagnosed, to tell me about the range of services and support that might be available to me. While I didn’t need to use any of these, it was helpful and comforting to be aware of them and the level of support that was available to me.

Tim explained how his passion for fitness and wellbeing helped him:

“Being fit and active before commencing treatment helped me enormously, as I went into the process in good physical condition and well-placed to cope with the process. I did very little exercise during the treatment though, as it left me extremely fatigued.

“Beginning to train again post-treatment has been enormously helpful – firstly, as a step towards returning to ‘normal’ life. And secondly, beginning to regain the mobility and strength I lost as a result of the treatment. I’ve also been fortunate to benefit from the advice and guidance of Fran Whitfield, one of our coaches, who is a specialist in exercise and rehabilitation for cancer patients.

“We’re planning to do another fundraising event in September 2023, so watch this space and come join us if you can!”

Macmillan Relationship Fundraising Manager, Nyree Ashby, said:

“The Sleven Fitness community really came together and showed just how much Tim means to them, which is wonderful to see. They set out to raise an incredible £5,000, but far surpassed that to raise an extraordinary £22,000, which could fund a Macmillan nurse for over 4 months. We are so grateful for all their efforts (and all this whilst opening their new gym!), and I’m excited to see what’s coming in the next few months!”

For advice on exercising safely when you have cancer, visit the Macmillan website: www.macmillan.org.uk