A DEDICATED charity worker is thanking a new training programme for giving her a much-needed confidence boost.

Helen Crowther, who works for the Children's Adventure Farm Trust in Millington, has been training for the past eight weeks at Ultimate Fitness Cheshire, in Higher Whitley.

Having donated a kidney to a friend, in January last year, Helen, said she had lost confidence and struggled to get back into exercise post-op.

The 46-year-old from Runcorn, has always been a keen runner but after suffering a hip injury, followed by a kidney operation, she lacked motivation to progress with her fitness.

Following a recommendation from her niece, Helen joined Mike Wood's 'Cheshire 100' - a campaign designed to recruit 100 gym members and introduce them to different ways of training.

Helen said: "The training has been great. When I first started, I felt like I had never trained before in my life when I realised what actual training was.

"It was completely different, because I'd only been doing cardio before.

"It was a shock to the system but I loved it straight away - I was hooked."

Personal trainer, Mike, kick-started the 'Cheshire 100' campaign in January, and currently has around 17 members training weekly at his gym.

The 31-year-old, originally from Frodsham, trains with Helen three times a week as part of her membership at Ultimate Fitness Cheshire.

Since joining, Helen has been introduced to classes such as SIN (Strength In Numbers) and Tabata, a Japanese-style high intensity workout.

Helen said: "I’ve lost weight and just feel brilliant.

"Not only is the training regime helping, but Mike is always on hand with support and advice about diet and lifestyle.

"After my kidney operation I kind of lost the confidence to get back into exercise, and I was really struggling to get motivated, but since I joined Cheshire 100 I’ve felt so in control and positive."

For more information visit ultimatefitnesscheshire.co.uk or call Mike on 07540779939