Former Pontefract paratrooper launches online fitness course

A former paratrooper is determined to help people to work towards reaching their fitness goals during isolation, while raising money for a good cause.
A former paratrooper is determined to help people to work towards reaching their fitness goals during isolation, while raising money for a good cause.A former paratrooper is determined to help people to work towards reaching their fitness goals during isolation, while raising money for a good cause.
A former paratrooper is determined to help people to work towards reaching their fitness goals during isolation, while raising money for a good cause.

Rikki Turner has been laid off during the coronavirus crisis, but has now set up his own Facebook page called ‘Daily Fitness Challenge’, which has reached 130 members in two days.

Each day he posts a challenge aimed at all ages and fitness levels, to build strength, stamina and fitness.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rikki hopes that everyone involved will take part in a 10 mile outdoor challenge in the future, as part of the final challenge, to celebrate the community coming out of isolation.

Rikki said: “I’ve decided to use my free time to help people keep fit and positive in these troublesome times.

“My final challenge will be set for when the government’s social distancing measures have finally been relaxed.

“It will consist of a 10 mile run or walk individual effort around Castleford, all participants will be able to raise money through the JustGiving app on my page.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He is also using the challenge as an opportunity to raise money for the families in the area who have lost loved ones to COVID-19.

Rikki also wants donors to take a vote on where extra funds raised should go to.

He said: “The family could use the money to give their loved one a belated send off that they truly deserve or could be used for a whole lot of things.

“The more people that join will result in the more money we could raise for families in our community, should they lose someone to this horrible virus.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“All in all, It’s important that people find ways to keep fit, it’s good for the mind, especially at times like this, and as a positive on back of that, we’re raising money for a good cause.”

Rikki’s brother, Ross, is also in the army, and some of the troops will come to greet the public on the day of the final challenge.

View the Facebook group here.