ZUMBA instructors, Lisa Wood from Bude, and Marie Jordan-Shilling from Camelford, held a ‘zumbathon’ at Camelford Leisure Centre on Saturday, August 5 to help raise funds to support Bude’s Dan and Liam Smith with their journey to the 2017 WCJJO (World Council of Ju-Jitsu Organisations) World Championships in Brisbane, Australia later this year.

Unfortunately, neither Dan or Liam receive any funding, meaning they have to fund the trip themselves with each of them needing up to £3,000 to be able to go.

Despite the financial struggles to make it to Brisbane, both men won their respective weight categories at the AMA National Championships in Bury last month.

Dan won gold in the Sports Ju-Jitsu category before picking up a silver medal in the Brazilian Ju-Jitsu event while Liam went one better, grabbing gold in both.

The talent is obviously there, but over the last few months they have needed to fundraise.

They have enlisted the help of personal trainer Lisa Wood of Lisa Wood Fitness Bude, who, along with Marie Jordan-Shilling, who runs Fast Forward Dance Fitness, organised a ‘zumbathon’ at Liam’s workplace, Camelford Leisure Centre, who also kindly donated out the sports hall for free.

The sound system was also donated for free for the day by Darren Colwell while Budehaven Leisure let them have free use of their stage.

The event raised a massive £1,720 with those in attendance undertaking a one-and-a-half-hour session.

Everyone wore 90s-style fitness clothing and the boys dressed up in lycra and tutus to much delight from the crowd.

Sheila, one of the members of Camelford Leisure Centre, ran a cake stall and there was also a raffle, which offered some fantastic prizes donated by local businesses.

Further anonymous donations have also been awarded to the Smith’s, meaning they’re certainly a lot closer to getting on the plane to Queensland.

Lisa said that the day couldn’t have gone any better.

Lisa said: “The ‘zumbathon’ went amazingly. There was a great turnout from locals, friends, family and businesses and we all had a great time in our outfits.

“It was great to be supported by other local fitness including Ross Chard from Tamar Boxing?Club, Heidi Redman from The Unit, Bude, Muay Thai kick-boxer Richard Marshall and his wife Joanne from Jo’s Fitness Studio, Camelford and Camelford karate coach, Jack Proctor.

“We then went back to Liam and Dan’s parents house (Richard and Anita) for a barbecue.

“Thanks must go to Chadds of Bude who donated the food for free as well, Sheila from Camelford Leisure Centre who ran the raffle and the cake stall, Liam and Dan’s mum Anita for all of her work behind the scenes and to everyone who has donated so far.

“Richard and Jo (Marshall) are hosting another fundraiser for the boys and fellow Bude athlete Adam Trace at Jo’s Fitness Studio on Sunday, September 17 where some of the classes will include spinning, kettle bells, hour of power, core training and lots more.

“I’m also running an event at?Budehaven School at the beginning of September while some of my ladies are organising a garden party on Wednesday, September 13 so we want as many people as possible to go along to these events and make their dreams come true.”

To find out more information on these events call Lisa on 07920 867736.