Read about Tony Sutton's Trustee role with Fitmums & Friends in his own words -

A few years ago I rather foolishly responded to a challenge of entering a 10k race. Despite previously playing a lot of sport, I hadn’t run for a number of years and had no idea if I could complete the race distance or not.

I started running by myself but also went down to Cottingham Fitmums to try and keep up my progress. There I saw first-hand that the ethos and culture of Fitmums is not just written on a piece of paper or in a website strategy; its real and happens every day at our clubs. I also learned the incredible story of how it all began and encountered the force of nature that is Sam Barlow.

A couple of years later when the organisation wanted to grow and become a charity, and to find some support for Sam, Vickie and the growing team, I applied to be a Trustee. 

Although the role of Trustee attracted me anyway, I felt it was important I had something to offer, and still do. 

My main inputs now are financial oversight. I look at management accounts, sign off payments, do a quarterly board report so the other Trustees get the comfort of some independent scrutiny, sign off the accounts and support the management team with questions and queries.

We are very careful not to get involved in running Fitmums, that’s not our job, it’s the independent “helicopter” view that adds value from the Trustees in our opinion. Since 2017 I have been the Chair of Trustees.

Fitmums is now a registered charity with 22 branches and clubs that all encourage physical activity in running, fitness walking, junior athletics and cycling. They also support others to participate in events, engage positively in promoting their mental health, support those bereaved to engage in activity and also enables activity for visually impaired runners and walkers.

Our aim is to create an environment where everyone feels safe and secure to enable them to achieve their potential – to run, jump, throw, cycle, walk, lead, coach, officiate or to support those who do.

More information can be found here: Fitmums, but if you read any part of our website, read this: Fitmums - Member testimonials. It's why I and the other Trustees do it. 

I have one lady’s testimonial printed out and stuck on my home office wall as a reminder of the amazing things Fitmums can and does achieve.