An East Kilbride fitness instructor has pledged to support a local dementia charity in memory of his late father.
Arleen Dingwall’s father, Bobby Brown, died of illness in January 2011, aged 74.
Bobby was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Arleen could only watch her beloved father deteriorate before her eyes.
The mother-of-two from Lindsayfield told Lanarkshire Live she struggled to come to terms with his death and “lost all motivation” for teaching.
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But, after changing direction with her career and retraining as a pilates instructor, she expanded her now thriving wellness business, specializing in pregnancy and postnatal pilates and anti-stress meditation.
(Image: East Kilbride News)
Keen to give back to the community that supported her, Arleen chose a charity close to her heart to raise funds throughout the past month.
And, she said, it was to be EK Dementia Carers Group, in memory of her father.
Arleen has created an e-book of recipes with 50 healthy meal ideas that include the amount of calories per serving – with all proceeds going to the charity that supports people with dementia and their families at her Greenhills daycare.
The 48-year-old said: “I lost my father 11 years ago to vascular dementia and wanted to do something in his memory in the New Year.
“He was instrumental in getting me back into Pilates. I really struggled to face people and lost motivation to teach after his death, but he inspired me to make that change and love teach again.
(Image: East Kilbride News)
“Maintaining good health through regular exercise and good nutrition can be life changing and can even help prevent disease. I’ve put together a recipe ebook with 50 nutritious recipes and an entire section on hormones.
“Understanding how our lifestyle choices affect our hormone levels is essential if we are to achieve the best possible results.”
Arleen, who teaches classes at the Crutherland Hotel, Nuffield Fitness and the Village Center in East Kilbride, has so far raised £575 and is appealing for support from her hometown to help raise more donations for the causes.
She added: “As all EK Dementia Carers charities are struggling due to the pandemic. They need around £50,000 a year to stay afloat so any profits raised in January and February will go to them donated.
“What EK Dementia Carers are doing is really wonderful. Not only do they give families of dementia sufferers some respite, but they have their minibus to take them on trips for fish teas.
(Image: East Kilbride News)
“I just wish there had been something like that for my dad back then. It might have helped me understand my dad’s condition a bit more.
“He suffered from dementia for a good few years before he entered the nursing home and there was simply no support network to help his loved ones.
“Hopefully I can raise as much as I can to support this wonderful local charity.”
In addition to raising funds, Arleen is encouraging people to be “fabulous in February” with a social media fitness challenge aimed at getting people moving for 10 extra minutes a day.
Get involved and donate to his fundraiser here.
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