THE Ballet Barre Boys helped the Fit4Life Knutsford Pilates and Fitness Studio in Parkgate to major fundraising success for a ‘vitally-important’ charity.

The fitness and fun day on Saturday raised more than £3,500 for the UK Sepsis Trust, beating the fundraising target by more than £1,000.

The goal of the trust is to end preventable deaths from sepsis and improve outcomes for sepsis survivors.

Linda Marshall, director and founder of Fit4Life, introduced Dr Jaco Nel to talk about how to be more aware of sepsis and what action to take to help save lives.

Knutsford Guardian:

Linda Marshall and Dr Jaco Nel

Jaco lost both his legs, all the fingers on one hand and suffered a facial disfigurement after being scratched while playing with his dog.

He contracted sepsis caused by bacteria in the cocker spaniel's saliva, and despite disinfecting the small scratch was in a coma for several days and had to learn to walk again.

Sepsis kills more than 46,000 people in the UK and six million worldwide each year.

Also known as blood poisoning, sepsis is the immune system’s overreaction to an infection or injury.

Normally our immune system fights infection – but sometimes, for reasons not yet understood, it attacks our body’s own organs and tissues.

If not treated immediately sepsis can result in organ failure and death, but with early diagnosis can be treated with antibiotics.

The format for the fundraising day included fitness classes, Pilates classes and Fitsteps (Strictly-themed) dance classes; Fit4Life Partners offered well-being services including reflexology with Clare Butler, sports massage with Abbi and Kat of AK Physio, and seated massage with Liz Howden and Nina Rogers.

Shops and restaurants donated gift vouchers and prizes for the raffle and secret auction, which raised more than £1,300 towards the fundraising total.

Homemade cakes were sold throughout the day, and a highlight was a ‘Men in Tutu’s Barre Pilates Class’, with the 15 Ballet Barre Boys having been sponsored to take part in the class.

Linda was supported by three of her instructors, Tracey Torrible, Sam Ban-Murray and Annie Bain.

She said: “This is a great achievement for a little known but vitally important charity, and it’s only been possible with the commitment, determination and willingness of all members of the Fit4Life Community; thank you, you’re all fantastic friends.”