Winsford gym trainer's appeal for gear to help kids battling cancer

Last month, Adam Lamb, for Winsford, started doing one-to-one PT sessions with boys and girls attending the Joshua Tree, a childhood cancer support charity in Sandiway.  

As well as boosting physical health through strength, cardiovascular, and flexibility training, Adam aims to improve their general well-being by helping them regain confidence through a sense of accomplishment.

“It’s also about creating a supportive community by offering kids a space to have fun and connect,” the dad-of-two added.

When he started the session, the charity had no kit of its own, so the 32-year-old brought in some old stuff he’d amassed during lockdown.

But seeing the boost the sessions are having on some of the kids, he’s started fundraising for some proper gym kit for the charity’s Dalefords Lane centre.

Boxing forms part of Harrison's (left) training regimen with Adam (Image: The Joshua Tree)

Adam said: “These kids are such an inspiration given everything they’ve gone though, and they deserve activities which make them feel good about themselves.

“When I started, we had nothing at all in the way of exercise equipment. I had to bring in some old kettlebells and dumbbells I had at home. I’m still taking them in with me every time.

“We’re aiming to get our hands on an all-purpose fitness bench, which comes with a weights bar, a slam ball, and battle ropes, all in a compact little unit.

“You definitely see the benefits of exercise on the kids pretty quickly.

“One of the lads, Jack, I’ve been training for four weeks, and he said it’s the best he’s felt in the eight months since he was diagnosed.

Kettlebells and dumbbells are about the limit of the kit Adam has to use at the Joshua Tree for now (Image: The Joshua Tree)

“Another lad, Harrison, has really come out of his shell. He’s just 11, but he’s getting loads more confident. The psychological impact can be just as important for recovery.

“I do love it. It’s great fun working with kids, especially some of the football stuff we’ve been doing. That’s one of my passions.

“We mainly focus on getting the kids stronger and fitter. We've also been doing a bit of boxing.”

Adam is accepting donations through his JustGiving page, and he’s already close to his original £1,500 target.

But the more he gets, the better equipped the Joshua Tree’s new sessions will be, meaning a wider range of kids can be supported.

Adam added: “Any donation, no matter the size, will have a profound impact on the lives of these children.

“Together, we can provide the tools they need to stay active, build strength, confidence and, most importantly, have fun during a challenging time in their lives.”