Yoga instructor from Greenock is bending over backwards to help Ardgowan Hospice

Studio 10 Pilates & Yoga on Robertson Street should have been celebrating one year in business this month, but as a result of COVID-19 celebrations have been postponed.

Instead, owner Denise Trayling is hosting virtual yoga and pilates classes on Saturday and is on track to raise hundreds of pounds for the hospice.

Denise said: "I noticed that this month is the hospice's Go Yellow appeal so I wanted to do something to support them.

"The hospice is such a lifeline and almost everyone in Inverclyde has been touched by its services in one way or another.

"It's nice to be able to support somewhere local, especially when all of their usual fundraising activities have been cancelled."

Denise has been using online video conferencing platform Zoom to keep in touch and hold classes with regular attendees.

On Saturday she hopes to have over 50 of her subscribers join in with her classes at both 10.30am and 11.30am.

However, the yoga instructor is extending the invitation to anyone who wants to have a go as she hopes to raise as much money as possible.

The 47-year-old ran the London Marathon for the charity a few years ago, so she knows from personal experience how much the hospice relies on income from large events that have been postponed or cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

She told the Tele: "It'll be more than just yoga, pilates and stretching.

"We'll be playing games and having fun, it's a great way for people who usually see each other multiple times a week to keep in touch while raising money for a good cause.

"I'm also encouraging people to wear something yellow and there will be a prize for the best dressed.

Denise is asking those taking part to donate what they can through the fundraising link on her Facebook page or by using the Ardgowan Hospice Go Yellow text donation service.

To find out more or to participate in the classes, visit Studio 10 Pilates & Yoga on Facebook.