LONDON, Tuesday 1 October: Archie Gray today visited Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s Move4You programme – helping local people with cancer through a physical activity session.

 

The summer arrival from Leeds United joined in with light circuit-based exercises at Tottenham Community Sports Centre, across the road from the Stadium.

His visit came after the recent announcement of Move4You as a finalist in this year’s Sports Business Awards, in the best sports community scheme category for UK football clubs.

Archie said: “I enjoyed every moment of today. It was great to meet these Move4You participants and I hope they enjoyed it. Connecting with the local community is something I’ve always prioritised at my previous clubs and I’m delighted to have the chance to do it here.

“The work Tottenham does in the community is fantastic and makes me proud to be a part of this club. Helping your community out is a really important thing for me and I always think if my family member needed support I’d want my club to be there, so it’s brilliant to see.”

Move4You is a programme of 12 physical activity sessions for residents of Haringey, Enfield and surrounding boroughs who have had a cancer diagnosis in the last five years.

Sessions run one to one and in groups, as well as online, and are tailored according to the needs of each individual.

They typically involve stretching and circuit-based exercises, with light equipment such as dumbbells and resistance bands.

Once complete, participants are supported to continue being active through referrals to open gym classes, yoga sessions and other group activities.

Among those currently taking part in the programme is Spurs supporter and Haringey resident Joanna Ashmore. She was referred after surgery and immunotherapy for bowel cancer.

She said: “The side effects from my treatment have lasted way longer than the treatment itself and my body’s changed beyond belief.

“But I’m already starting to see certain changes thanks to Move4You. It’s everything I’ve wanted because the Foundation team is so interested in every part of my journey and activities are tailored for me.

“I’ve honestly felt so happy since I started doing these sessions. They’re fabulous and it was an absolute pleasure to have this opportunity to meet Archie – what a lovely guy!”

Angela Epps, also from Haringey, added: “It was really interesting meeting Archie, who was easy-going with everyone.

“I had pre-breast cancer and now have the all clear. I’ve found Move4You really helpful to push myself in a safe environment. I found sessions quite tiring at first, but we’ve built up slowly in terms of tailoring something right for me, and I’m looking forward to my remaining sessions.

“I think it’s been very useful not only in terms of the physical benefits, but also for my mental health and wellbeing. The sessions are fun and I really enjoy them.”

Chantelle Fernandes from the Foundation, who runs many of the Move4You sessions, said: “It’s been wonderful to see Archie bring our participants an extra special moment of happiness. Memorable experiences like these can have a positive uplifting effect, whatever the future holds.

“Through Move4You, we improve people’s ability to move, help maintain and strengthen their muscles, and create positive long-term physical habits that may assist them along their cancer journey.

“We deliver over 1,000 tailored sessions per year and it was exciting to have this work recognised by the Sports Business Awards recently.”