The ladies of Kotecha Dance Fitness are supporting Forever Flowers in memory of loved ones.
This year, the ladies of Kotecha Dance Fitness have come together and purchased three Forever Flowers in support of members who have lost a loved one.
City Hospice, Welfare Rights Officer, Leanne McMillan has been a member of Kotecha Dance Fitness for over 2 years now and was touched to hear the ladies clubbed together to purchase a Sunflower in memory of her son, Oliver who sadly passed away 29 years ago.
Welfare Rights Officer, Leanne McMillan
Having started at the back of the class where no one can see her, Leanne said: “Now I’m dancing at the front in my little bubble. Two and half years later, the team are like my dance family. Claire creates a great safe space to unwind, offload and have loads of fun. The whole group are just so thoughtful, hearing they bought me a Sunflower for my son really blew me away”.
Team Kotecha Dance Fitness was first set up in 2018 by Claire Kotecha after her best friend sadly took her own life. Claire designed this class to help people tackle low self-esteem, and anxiety and to build confidence.
Since forming, the group have won several awards from Silver & Bronze in the Welsh Fitness Awards in 2022 and Best Health & Well-being Business in Wales in 2021. Team Kotecha wants to focus on being more than a fitness class but a supportive community for people who really need each other.
During the lockdown, the group continued to support people’s mental health by putting out red felt hearts within their community with a positive message and mental health helpline numbers to remind people they’re not alone.
The two remaining Forever Flowers were then bought for a member who sadly lost her father to lung cancer and Claire wanted the final one to be for everyone to add a name of a loved one they’ve lost. Having spoken to Claire we asked why she supports our Forever Flowers:
“The work of City Hospice is absolutely incredible. As someone who has lost members of my family to life-limiting illnesses, I was really touched when I heard about City Hospices’ incredible Forever Flowers Campaign. It’s such a thoughtful and beautiful way for us all to get together and remember those who we love that are no longer with us and Team Kotecha are so happy to be supporting this amazing cause.”
Daisy Magill, Senior Fundraising Co-ordinator said:
“On behalf of City Hospice, we would like to thank Claire and the ladies at Kotecha Dance Fitness for supporting our Forever Flowers campaign. Hearing you’ve bought them in support of members who have lost loved ones is so thoughtful. We hope to see you at the display”
