A COMMUNITY fitness centre says it has never been more important to provide exercise opportunities to the most vulnerable.

Julia Clifford, one of the managing directors of iCan Health and Fitness CIC on Lorne Street in Carlisle, says exercise may help to fight the effects of Covid-19.

"The NHS is talking about the effect of this virus leading to 10 times more deaths than the virus itself.

"Which is what WOW is all about, getting out there to isolated kids or isolated grandmothers and grandfathers to try and help," explained Julia.

Finishing touches are currently being added to the Wheels of Wellness facility, which will provide free fitness classes to rural communities.

"Sadness and depression among children is up 170 per cent among children since lockdown, there's been a 121 per cent increase in children struggling to sleep," explained Julia.

"If we can get this out there to provide activities for children and we save three people from committing suicide, how worthwhile would that be?"

To get the facility on the road, they need to raise £11,000 for the first year's running costs.

It is believed that after the first year that the facility will become self-sustainable.

"We are looking for big companies to give £100 and if a tiny minority of people in Cumbria gave a pound we would be there," continued Julia.

"You don't have to pledge a tenner, if everyone gave a pound we get it.

"We can really help people in times of mental and physical health crisis, which is equally, if not more prolific than the virus itself."

The majority of the £146,000 costs of the project are being covered by a Sport England grant of £119,000.

To donate, go to https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/wheelsofwellness.