I WRITE on behalf of all present members of the Fitness Suite at Witchford Village College, who wish to see the future of the suite secured for both college and community use in the future. The suite has, over the last few years, acquired a reputation, de

I WRITE on behalf of all present members of the Fitness Suite at Witchford Village College, who wish to see the future of the suite secured for both college and community use in the future.

The suite has, over the last few years, acquired a reputation, despite being a small unit, of caring for all its members in a very personal way. Members include those who value regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle; those who know they are not as fit as they should be because of their lifestyle and/or have weight problems; those who have some kind of debilitating medical problem; trauma following an accident or surgery or any severe physical problem that makes life difficult. All have found that their individual rehabilitation programmes have, over time, given them a far better quality of life than they could ever have imagined. There are members who would never in their wildest dreams have thought they would enjoy or benefit from joining such a centre, who are now reaping the rewards of their efforts and have made new friends doing so. All this is down to the dedicated and highly qualified Manager and staff to whom every members matters.

The centre takes patients on referral from all the local doctors' surgeries and it is these patients, in particular, myself included, who will feel the loss of such a facility if it is forced to close its doors to the local community of Ely and district. The local GPs, as well as the staff at the Physiotherapy Unit at the Princess of Wales Hospital are, we understand, incredulous that we could lose such a vital facility.

The suite manager is also happy to visit, talk to any group, or sheltered accommodation and day centres to demonstrate simple exercise programmes to do at home. Several new members have joined after being part of such sessions.

We understand from the principal, that the suite has been accumulating for some time a debt in its running costs, which it can no longer sustain. We therefore have a very short time in which to find a way of supporting the college by finding alternative sources of funding and more importantly, finding a large number of new members - at least 70 - by the middle of August. We also need to put in place a business plan that will ensure its future.

I would therefore like to make an appeal through your paper to both current and future members, as well as to doctors and other health professionals, local residents and other interested groups from within the community to join us in attempting to achieve this end. Please contact me so we can arrange a meeting in the very near future to discuss and find ways to go forward.

INFO: To join the suite telephone 01353 645813 or visit between 9.30am and 8pm on weekdays, or 9.30am and noon to arrange your initial meeting with the staff. Come and join us, it could not be simpler. (Opening hours differ during term time.)

HELEN SIMONDS

Lawn Lane

Sutton,