USERS of The Bluestone Centre in Tenbury have been provided with new fitness equipment to help improve the centre’s boxing club and rehabilitation facilities.

Building contractor Speller Metcalfe donated £2,000 of equipment which includes a state-of-the-art cross trainer and treadmill following its links with Paddy Brennan who previously worked with the construction firm.

Launched six years ago in Tenbury as a boxing club and fitness centre, The Bluestone Centre has since expanded to offer a range of services to the local community alongside the original boxing facilities.

This includes a rehabilitation service for patients with conditions including Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis or those who may have had a stroke.

“We set up the rehabilitation service after my wife Rosemarie suffered a stroke in 2011 and I discovered a lack of services were available locally,” said Paddy.

“There wasn’t any help at the weekends and when we left the hospital to start our recovery process even the wheelchair we were given wouldn’t fit in the car – within a few days I soon realised there were very limited services for people who could help find a solution.”

A year after the stroke Paddy discovered Rosemarie could also lose the use of her arm due to lack of movement and severe pain. Following extensive research into alternative medicine and exercises, he took action and set up Active Neuro Physiotherapy - the extended rehabilitation services now available at the centre.

Sessions are led by neurological physiotherapist Liz Bolan and a team of fitness coaches, catering for many types of disabilities.

The centre is currently working with 25 rehab patients throughout the week with the aim of using exercise and fitness to offer long-term solutions.

“We are delighted to be able to work with such a well-established organisation who are clearly benefitting the local community, something we strive to do in our own work,” said Bill Munn, best practice manager at Speller Metcalfe.