A 75-year-old woman has been named as a finalist at the upcoming National Fitness Awards.

Wendy Ince, who started using the gym at Water Meadows Swimming & Fitness Complex, Mansfield, in 2018 after being referred by her GP, is contesting the Member Achievement category.

The National Fitness Awards, which take place at Leicester’s Athena venue on 26th November, recognise achievement and excellence in the health and fitness industry, with prizes awarded in more than 20 categories. Every year there are hundreds of nominations, but judges have chosen just five finalists for the Member Achievement category.

Wendy was entered into the awards by the Water Meadows team for raising money for charity by completing a nine-hour rowing marathon, which replicated going from England to France and back again using one of the machines at the centre. In total, she raised more than £2,000 to support Covid emergency appeal charities.

Darren Kissane, facility manager at Water Meadows, said: “We’re very proud of Wendy at the centre. It’s amazing news that she’s up for a national award. She is the perfect example of someone benefiting from the Water Meadows experience.

“She was nervous about attending a gym back in 2018, but our team quickly put her at ease, and she now comes five days a week, exercising for over an hour every visit!”

Wendy added: “I was very pleased to be nominated, but never expected to make the final, so this is a very pleasant surprise. I’d like to wish the best of luck to all the other shortlisted people.

“I’d also like to thank the Water Meadows team. The support from Carl at the gym has been great. The people in reception give me a warm welcome every day and everyone is just so friendly.

“I feel so much better in myself since I started exercising regularly. When I started my metabolism was that of a 75-year-old; it’s now down to 59!”

The Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, said: “What a fantastic achievement for Wendy. She is a real inspiration for showing how a few changes in lifestyle can make huge difference to a person’s quality of life – and in Wendy’s case to the lives of others, too, with her fundraising efforts. We wish her every success in the final of the National Fitness Awards and will be rooting for her all the way.”

Mansfield District Leisure Trust, in partnership with Serco Leisure, manages the Oak Tree Leisure Centre, Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre, Water Meadows Fitness and Swimming Complex, and River Maun Recreation Centre on behalf of Mansfield District Council.