Inspiring older people to get active
599. Edwina Brocklesby
An extreme athlete from London has inspired thousands of elderly people to get fit and healthy.
Dr Edwina Brocklesby, 72 and from Lambeth, is Britain’s oldest Ironwoman and the founder of ‘Silverfit‘ a charity to support older people to get fit. While Edwina has herself completed 5 ironman triathlons and 14 marathons, she has supported 15,000 people to take part in walking football, Pilates, Zumba and even cheerleading through her charity.
In a personal letter to Edwina, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“You have inspired thousands to get fit and healthy. Demonstrating with your own remarkable achievements that exercise is something everyone can enjoy throughout their lives”.
Edwina said:
“I am honoured and delighted to receive the Prime Minister’s Points of Light award in recognition of the great work Silverfit is doing. Silverfit is an exciting and expanding charity, led by older people for older people. We promote fun, fitness and friends for older people in the UK and our goal is for more people to experience healthier ageing through physical activity and to combat social isolation. The activities we offer, like walking football, Silver Cheerleading and Nordic walking, are all fun to do as well as helping to improve fitness.
The greatest endorsement of our work comes from our Silverfitters themselves: “I had worried that being retired and living on my own I would begin to slow down and become isolated but in fact I have made new friends and am more active than ever. Thank you to all at Silverfit for the opportunities you provide, it really is life changing.” We know we’re making a real difference to the everyday lives of older people and look forward to helping many more to be Silverfit.”