Hutton Moor Leisure Centre donates exercise equipment to Weston General Hospital’s Physio Department

“This kit’s going to make such a difference to the patients in the gym,” former Trust Physiotherapist Jason Seaton enthused. “It’s used so much in the classes that we run and the rehabilitation services we offer.”

The exercise equipment, which Jason valued between £30,000 and £40,000, includes three cross trainers, a pulley machine, an exercise bike and treadmill. It is utilised by patients with knee and shoulder injuries; postoperative and post-fracture patients. The equipment was donated by Hutton Moor Leisure Centre manager Dave Sommers.

“Dave was originally going to sell us this equipment at a discount, but we had trouble raising the money,” Jason explained. “When I told him that, he said, ‘You know what, I’m just going to give it to you.’.”

The leisure centre had undergone a £2.15 million refurbishment, which left them with excess exercise equipment. Dave chose to donate the equipment because of his desire to support Weston Area Health NHS Trust and the wider NHS.

“I could have sold it to a local person,” Dave acknowledged. “But I thought, ‘Why not donate it? Why not give something back to my local hospital?’.”

“It’s a massively challenging time for the NHS,” Dave continued. “Hopefully this equipment will last a couple years and give Weston General Hospital some support.”

Dave also understands the importance of the work being done by Weston Area Health NHS Trust’s Physiotherapy Department, having had a fair amount of physiotherapy himself after 30 years of playing sports and working in the leisure industry. Jason and his colleagues are delighted by Dave’s generous sense of community spirit.

“On behalf of the Trust, and certainly on behalf of the Physio Department, we want to thank Dave for his huge generosity,” Jason said. “Dave and Hutton Moor have been such an asset to us. Our gym is probably better equipped than most other Trusts, even big ones like Bristol and Taunton.”

(l-r Former Weston General Hospital Physiotherapist Jason Seaton and Dave Sommers, Manager of Hutton Moor Leisure Centre)