Community fundraiser highlights importance of strong industry links, says Wrexham lecturer

A Sports Lecturer has highlighted the importance of universities ensuring they maintain strong industry links and partnerships, in order to provide students with positive development opportunities and experiences.

Dr Chelsea Batty, Senior Lecturer in Applied Sport, Health and Exercise Physiology at Wrexham Glyndwr University (WGU), made the point after supporting Fervid Fitness – a Flint gym – with a charity powerlifting competition

The event run by the gym, which has a partnership agreement with the university, raised more than £700 for Flint-based charity, Giddo’s Gift.

It was set up in memory of Flint teenager Jordan Giddins – known as Giddo – who died in 2017 aged 18-years-old, following a battle with Ewings Sarcoma – a rare form of cancer that affects bones or the tissues around the bones. It mainly affects children and young people.

Dr Batty, who earlier this year, successfully qualified to compete in this year’s British Powerlifting championships taking place next month, helped organise the charity powerlifting competition and also supported with the running of the event

She said: “On behalf of the team at Fervid Fitness, I’d like to thank everyone who took part and supported our charity event.

“We were delighted to raise more than £700 for local charity, Giddo’s Gift.

“It was also fantastic to have 26 people take part in the competition.

“As a university, we’re proud of our strong relationships with local partners – and Fervid Fitness, in particular, support us by allowing us to use their excellent gym facilities. They’ve also supported us in the past with health screening events.

“We are also in talks around the potential of them offering our students placement opportunities, especially for those considering a career as a Gym Instructor or Personal Trainer.

“Maintaining these positive industry links and local partnerships is crucial for us as an institution, it means that we are able to facilitate meaningful development opportunities and experiences for our students.”