Mersea Island gym goers lift 1,000 tonnes to raise over £10k for muscular dystrophy
Colin Morgan, a regular at Flow gym on West Mersea, takes part in charity initiatives to help others.
He was approached by fellow gym member Lydia Ackerman and her husband Harry after the couple's son, ten-year-old Jacob, was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at just two years old.
Muscular dystrophy is a severe genetic condition which gradually causes the muscles to weaken.
There is currently no cure, but treatment can help with many of the symptoms.
Inspiration - Jacob lifted the first and last 30kg of the challenge (Image: Submitted)Inspired by Jacob, the Dumbbell Dozen, a team of 12 members from Flow gym aged between 22 and 80, decided to take on a fundraising challenge.
They aimed to lift 420 tonnes - the weight of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet – in July.
The team tracked their daily weightlifting performance using barbells, dumbbells and kettle bells across a range of exercises including squats, deadlifts, presses, curls and rows.
By day 10, it was clear the 420-tonne target would be easily met so the group added the weight of an Airbus A380 Super Jumbo - an extra 580 tonnes.
That took the total target to 1,000 tonnes, which was achieved in the final week of July.
On Thursday (July 31), Jacob returned to the gym to lift the final 30kg – having lifted the first 30kg at the start of the challenge.
Also present was Connal Kelleher, the London and Southeast regional director for the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK, who has 'been hugely supportive' of the effort which he said was a "professional highlight of his time in fundraising'.
The Dumbbell Dozen were also supported by MP Sir Bernard Jenkin, the mayors of both Colchester and West Mersea, and the community team at Colchester United FC.
The amount raised has broken the £10,000 barrier and more is expected over the coming weeks.
This figure represents the cost of a full month of quality research into Muscular Dystrophy, which affects more than 100,000 people in the UK.
The Dumbbells are also waiting to hear whether they have made the shortlist for the 2025 National Fundraiser Awards after receiving a nomination.
To donate, visit justgiving.com/page/jumbo-lift.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New Way to Take Iron: IBSA Launches Innovative Orally Dissolving Film Supplement That's Gentle on the Stomach and Easy to Take
IBSA ODF Supplement Range WATFORD, United Kingdom, Aug. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new generation of vitamin supplementation has arrived in the UK. IBSA, the Swiss-based pharmaceutical company, has launched a groundbreaking Iron Orodispersible Film (ODF), a thin, fast-dissolving supplement strip designed to deliver iron and folic acid without the need for water or swallowing tablets. At a time when up to a third of UK adults report difficulty swallowing pills¹, and many struggle with the gastrointestinal side effects of traditional iron supplements², IBSA Iron ODF offers a welcome solution. Using IBSA's patented FilmTec® technology, this small, lemon-flavoured strip melts in the mouth quickly, delivering a precise dose of 30 mg iron (as ferric pyrophosphate) and 400 μg folic acid with minimal digestive discomfort.'I've been taking Iron supplements for over 10 years and tried so many types, tablets, liquids, you name it. They all made me feel sick with nausea and even vomiting. Since I started using the ODF Iron, I haven't had any of those side effects, and I still get all the benefits. It's made a huge difference to how I feel in the morning'. Emma, verified patient, Oxford. Unlike some iron tablets that can cause side effects such as nausea, constipation, or a metallic taste, IBSA Iron ODF uses ferric pyrophosphate, a gentler form of iron, alongside a minimalist ODF formulation. This form bypasses much of the digestive system, helping reduce irritation whilst maintaining comparable absorption to some Iron tablets². It's also gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegan friendly and contains less than 1 kcal per is it for?IBSA Iron ODF is particularly suited to: Women during menstruation, pregnancy, or postpartum recovery Athletes with higher iron needs People with gastrointestinal absorption issues (e.g. Crohn's, coeliac disease) Anyone who dislikes or struggles to swallow tablets IBSA Iron ODF is part of a new range of oral film supplements now available from IBSA Care. The range also includes IBSA Vitamin D3 ODF, a 2000 IU supplement formulated to support bone and immune health in individuals with limited sun exposure, and IBSA Vitamin B12 ODF, designed for vegetarians, older adults, and anyone with reduced B12 absorption. All products are based on IBSA's patented FilmTec® technology, combined with the company's pharmaceutical expertise and dedication to innovation, providing convenient, high-quality supplements designed for real life. IBSA's ODF technology has been clinically evaluated for iron and vitamin D3 delivery. Studies demonstrate comparable absorption to market-leading capsule formats2 3, offering reassurance that these new supplements are as effective as they are easy to for further information. Helen Pope, HPPR+44 (0)7879 818247, helen@ References1. Cook et al., 2024 – Dysphagia prevalence and patient preferences across Brazil, UK, China, and Indonesia. Healthcare (Basel), 12(18):1827. 2. Cupone et al., 2023 – Clinical evaluation of iron orodispersible film (ODF). Pharmaceutics, 15(6):1575. 3. Cupone et al., 2020 – Development and stability of vitamin D3 ODF formulation. Molecules, 25:5851. UKODF00003DOP: July 2025 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jessie J hospitalized for infection following breast cancer surgery
Jessie J was hospitalized for an infection six weeks after undergoing surgery following her breast cancer diagnosis. The singer updated fans on her Instagram story Saturday, sharing a photo of an IV in her arm. Jessie J shares health update on Meniere's disease battle 'How I spent the last 24 hours,' she wrote. '6 weeks post surgery and I was back in the same ward I was after my surgery. Not expected or planned. I had and still have symptoms that pointed towards a blood clot on the lung.' 'IT IS NOT A BLOOD CLOT THANK GOD,' she continued. 'They ran a lot of tests, which ended up showing I have an infection (still trying to figure out what) and a little fluid on my lungs.' 'Finding it hard to breathe in, but I discharged myself last night (I hate being in hospital) and will continue the investigation as an outpatient,' she wrote. In another post, Jessie J opened up about her health journey, writing, 'I know many people who will have gone through this or similar may agree with me on this or not and that's ok.' 'But I know for me, the true hard journey of this whole thing physically was the day I went into surgery. The recovery physically is far from quick or easy, and mentally it's been the most challenging time for me,' she continued. The singer, who welcomed her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in May 2023 with boyfriend Chanan Safir Colman, also spoke about the impact of her health on motherhood and her career. "Especially as a Mum with a toddler and being unable to be the mother I usually am,' she wrote. 'And having to change the plans for my career for this year has been frustrating after working so hard to get to this point and excited to do it all.' She added, 'But it's life, I know that. And don't get me wrong getting the all clear was and is incredible. But that result didn't speed up or make the recovery from the surgery any easier physically.' She went on to share that her journey was a reminder 'to myself to slow tf down.' 'This isn't a speedy recovery. And it isn't meant to be,' she said. 'As an adhd Aries fire breathing dragon t rex, I can do it myself, I'm always ok woman. That slow pace has been a hard reality to accept tbh. I love moving and working and being up and active but I can't be right now, and that's what it is.' 'And I am finding the strength in knowing that all can be adjusted to align with a slower pace and the support of my very small inner support Thank you,' she concluded. Earlier in June, Jessie J revealed she had been diagnosed with "early breast cancer" in an Instagram reel. "I'm highlighting the word 'early.' Cancer sucks in any form, but I'm holding on to the word 'early,'" she said at the time, adding that she was going to "disappear for a bit to have my surgery," promising that she will "come back with massive t--s and more music." Later that month, she shared an update post-surgery on June 23, documenting the process with a series of photos on Instagram. In the caption, she described the post as showing 'some of the honest lows and highs of the last 48 hours.' 'I will always show the good and hard bits of any journey I go through,' she wrote. 'Grateful to my doctor / surgeon and all the nurses who cared for me and all my family / friends who came to visit. 🫂 I am home now, to rest and wait for my results 🤞🏻' 'Still hugging everyone going through something tough right now. We all got this! 🫂🫀🔋,' she added. Over the years, Jessie J has been open about her health, sharing her experiences with a heart condition she was diagnosed with as a child, as well as a miscarriage in 2021. She has also been diagnosed with an inner-ear disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Opinion: Steer clear of difficult people and eat more berries
This week, I've read a great deal of particularly useful health reports in various newspapers and scientific journals. So, I thought I'd pop some of the material into this column in the hope you'll benefit from it too. Research over the past 20 years has shown repeatedly how important it is for us to maintain a good social network as we grow older, because loneliness and isolation are seriously bad for our mental and physical health. In fact, it's often said they are as dreadful for us as smoking. We're aware therefore that we should meet people face to face as much as possible – especially if we live alone. And one of the best ways of doing that is to join a number of clubs and societies. Last month, I gave positive ageing talks at both Colchester and Royston U3A branches. U3A is a terrific association for older people, and I highly recommend it. Every one of their groups I've spoken at – and there have been a lot – has been packed with bright, enthusiastic, engaged, friendly, proactive individuals living later life to the full. My recent reading revealed there is now even more good news about getting together with like-minded people in groups, because a new study has shown that belonging to such organisations can protect us against cognitive decline. It doesn't matter whether we sing in a choir, or sit on the parish council, or go to a book group, drama club, the WI, a horticultural or music appreciation society, or join a Spanish class, all these group activities and countless others, are great for our brain power. So, if you don't do anything regularly with other people who have similar interests, do consider becoming a member of something you'd enjoy. I think the protective element against cognitive decline may well be intensified by the sense of belonging we feel when we are part of something. There is something about saying "we" rather than "I" that tends to lift our spirits and give us a warm glow of being part of a community rather than alone. Another thing I learned in the past few days was that unpredictable and difficult people can adversely affect our own health. I've often mentioned in the past how helping others and being kind, compassionate and caring to them increases our own sense of self-esteem and improves our mood. This is because these actions generate the production in our brain of more of the chemicals serotonin and dopamine, often called the "happy hormones". But it turns out that not everyone we try to help, or be with, is good for us. Last week saw the publication of research which stated that we should steer clear, when we can, of people who are always negative, or hassle us, or puzzle us because one day they seem friendly and loving and another, out of the blue, ignore us or even become hostile. I'm sure we've all known folk like that and probably tried to help them. But this new American study claims that contact with such individuals can trigger a chronic inflammatory response that makes us more prone to heart disease and other ageing illnesses. So, we need to remember that, and do all we can to surround ourselves with positive people who enhance our lives, rather than mix with those who distress or drag us down. Finally, I've been reading about fruit, and berries in particular. I don't know how long ago it was that we were first advised to eat five fruit or veg every day. But apparently, only a quarter of men in the UK actually achieve this target. And plenty of women miss it too. I found this surprising because there is so much information these days about how fruit and veg are great for gut health, increasing vitamin levels, and providing us with essential polyphenols and antioxidants, which protect our cells from damage. Not just that, they're good at improving our skin, and surely everyone wants that. At this time of the year, we're surrounded by berries – strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and so on – and the advice is that we should eat our fill of these because berries are the fruits most nutritionists value above all others. Not only are they delicious but they provide an impressive list of health benefits. They're low in calories, they protect our bodies against harmful inflammation, they're commonly believed to help lower our cholesterol levels and they add much-needed fibre to our diets. But what I also learned this week is that you don't have to confine these fruits to the summer months, and you shouldn't, because their frozen versions, available all year round obviously, are often even fresher than the ones we're buying currently from greengrocers or farmers' markets. The reason being that frozen food companies routinely freeze berries on the very day they're picked. And there's a further benefit; typically, a portion of frozen berries costs less than half the price of fresh ones. It's a win-win situation!
