More than 940km cycled and rowed at Mountbatten Leisure Centre in support of Headway Portsmouth and South East Hampshire.
The spirit of community and determination was on full display at Mountbatten Leisure Centre, as locals recently came together to raise over £1,000 for Headway Portsmouth and South East Hampshire, a local charity supporting people living with brain injuries.
The high-energy fitness fundraiser, held on Wednesday 21 May, was organised by BH Live Active instructors in partnership with Portsmouth resident Mikey Osbourne, who has a personal connection to the cause. Mikey, who sustained a brain injury in 2013, has been a long-time beneficiary of Headway’s life-changing services and was a driving force behind the event.
Participants were invited to take part in a day-long cycling and rowing challenge, contributing to a combined distance of over 940km—the equivalent of travelling from Portsmouth to Edinburgh and back!
The event attracted Headway members, BH Live Active instructors, centre visitors, and local residents, all rallying together to raise funds and awareness for the charity’s vital work.
Matt Low, Portsmouth Cluster Manager for BH Live, praised the efforts of everyone involved:
“It was inspiring to see Mikey and the team from Headway join forces with our instructors and members. The energy, enthusiasm and community spirit on display was incredible. We’re proud to have supported such a worthwhile cause and thank everyone who cycled, rowed, or donated.”
Headway Portsmouth and South East Hampshire offers essential support, advice, and rehabilitation services to individuals and families affected by brain injuries, helping them adjust, rebuild, and regain independence.
On behalf of Headway, Jo Dallas, CEO of Headway Portsmouth & South East Hampshire, shared;
“I can’t thank everyone enough for making the event such a success. It was a great event, engaging our service users who really took it upon themselves to cycle or row as far as they could to contribute to the amazing total of over 940km, it exceeded all expectations and the vibe on the main reception where the event was being held was fantastic throughout the whole day, which attracted even more interest from the regular customers who were visiting the centre. Once again thank you to everyone who was involved in the event!”
Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure and Sport at Portsmouth City Council added:
“I know that the people of Portsmouth are always willing to step up to a challenge, and it is inspiring to see residents coming together with Headway members and the BH Live team to raise money for such a worthy cause. My thanks go to BH Live for supporting this fundraiser and inspiring the local community to get involved.”
Looking ahead, Mountbatten Leisure Centre is preparing to host its next community charity event— an energetic danceathon on Saturday 7 June to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.
For more information about upcoming events or to get involved, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/mountbatten.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
Facebook – @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Mountbatten Leisure Centre
Mountbatten is Portsmouth’s flagship leisure and event venue. It is owned by Portsmouth City Council and operated in partnership with registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
Located in the heart of Hilsea, Mountbatten is located just a short distance from Portsmouth’s city centre. Its large well equipped gym, accessible by lift, has multiple zones with something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness. Dedicated training areas have lots of cardio kit to choose from, free weights, functional fitness spaces and more. With health and wellbeing professionals on hand, there is also an exercise referral team to offer guidance and support if recovering from an illness, injury or long term health condition. Group exercise classes run seven days a week and include Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyCombat, Sprint, Grit, Group Cycle, Bootcamp, Shapes, yoga, Pilates, aqua, group cycle, circuits, and more.
There is a 50 metre swimming pool (divided into two) with regular public swimming sessions, lane swimming, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a smaller teaching pool for little ones and lessons. Mountbatten is home to AquaDash – a large pool inflatable course – great fun for young people, team building away days, and parties. Spa facilities include a sauna, spa bath and steam room.
Mountbatten offers a broad health and wellbeing programme which focuses on helping people with long-term conditions to stay active and build their confidence in one one-on-one or group settings
Mountbatten is also home to a Clip ‘N Climb leisure attraction and an eight-court sports hall where multi-sport activities and events are held throughout the year in partnership with local clubs and schools. An outdoor velodrome and athletics track hosts regular training, events and competitions throughout the year.
Open to members and non members a Terrace Café has free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks.
From August 2024, ANPR will be in operation. There is free customer parking for up to four hours seven days a week with accessible spaces for Blue Badge holders. Charges apply for longer stays – see car park signage for details.
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/mountbatten
Get social with us:
Facebook – @mountbattenlc
Instagram – @bhliveactive