A SPIN class coach is raising money in honour of her parents.

Carol Roberts, a trainer at Winsford Lifestyle Centre, is preparing to host an eight-hour ‘spinathon’ to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice.

The charity has come to play an important part in her life in recent years.

Her father, Robert Spencer, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's following the Covid lockdown and moved to be closer to Carol at the end of 2021.

“It got to January last year and I was at the end of my tether,” Carol said.

“I found they did this dementia workshop at St Luke’s. We went along and they were just remarkable.

“I can’t put into words how amazing they were.

“If it weren’t for St Luke’s I think I’d have lost the plot.”

The spin classes Carol teaches at the Lifestyle Centre usually last 45 minutes and involve riding an indoor bike to music.

However, this challenge will see around 30 riders take to the spin bikes for eight hours on Saturday, January 28.

Carol will be leading from the front, preparing to cycle non-stop throughout the day.

She said: “It will be daunting for quite a few people who are taking part.

“What I like is seeing people who normally wouldn’t dream of doing something like this giving it a go.

“It’s up to me to give them the encouragement to actually do it.”

This isn’t the first time Carol has embarked on such a challenge, having previously completed six-hour and seven-hour spinathons in 2014 and 2017 respectively.

She began fundraising following the death of her mother, Ann Spencer, aged 67.

Ann suffered from ataxia, a rare neurological condition affecting coordination.

Since then, Carol has completed a range of challenges, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2017.

“I got to the top and someone tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘Ataxia!’.

“This stranger, a guide from Tanzania who takes people up the mountain, gave me a hug and I just cried.

“I couldn’t believe I met someone who knew exactly what that condition is.”

Following the spinathon, a celebration will be held at the Old Star and all are invited.

There will be raffle prizes, live music from Adriana Vocals, and magic by Christopher Hickey.