STUDIO PILATES FRANCHISEES BAND TOGETHER

Winter revealed that the executive and franchisee teams have banded together to help raise support for one of their own.

Studio Pilates Springfield franchisees Ash and Ryan Giles have a six-year-old son, Nash, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour and has undergone both chemotherapy treatment and brain surgery.

“After spending so much time in hospital over the years for many different procedures, and then embarking on the most gut-wrenching journey of chemotherapy and brain surgery, we have seen the direct effects of current treatments available to children,” Ash said.

“We’ve also had some of our little friends taken away from their families and friends way too soon. The experience has changed our family forever.”

After seeing the impact the treatment was making, Winter said he was inspired to do more for Australian families. The result of which has been the introduction of a new initiative.

HUNDREDS FOR HOPE

The Hundreds for Hope open day sees all classes across 24 Australia and new Zealand studios completely free of charge. The fundraiser offers giveaways and entertainment with a percentage of proceeds donated to two children’s charities, The Kids’ Cancer Project and Child Cancer Foundation.

“After meeting Nash for the first time, I was truly inspired by his positivity and fun-loving nature,” Winter said.

“As a parent to a son of the same age, it really hit home, and right then I decided, as an organisation – as a family – we simply had to do something to support other families faced with cancer.”

Ash Giles said the initiative, to be held on Saturday June 8 demonstrates how supportive the brand has been throughout the journey.

“We really do feel like we are a part of a bigger family and we have been incredibly humbled by the Studio Pilates team and the amazing contributions of all Australian and New Zealand studios to raise awareness for childhood cancer,” she said.

“It’s for all the families we see at the hospital and children with cancer everywhere – we just want to make it better for everyone.”