FITNESS instructor Sue Green used her final aerobics class before retiring to raise hundreds of pounds to help homeless people.
Sue Green worked at Kingswood leisure centre in Church Road, Soundwell, for 37 years. When the time came to hang up her leg warmers Sue, 65, decided to make her last class a fundraiser for the Julian Trust, a Bristol night shelter where Sue has volunteered for 12 years and serves as a trustee.
More than 100 people signed up for the class on March 31, and the event raised more than £800 for the charity.
Sue said: “It has been so wonderful seeing so many faces together from over the years – and I’ve been blown away by how generous everyone has been.
“We set the price at £5 per person for the class, but so many have contributed far beyond that. It’s really taken off – the amount people have given has been truly heart-warming.”
Sue has been a fixture at the Kingswood centre since 1988 and is widely known not only for her energetic classes but also for her tireless community work. In addition to the fundraising class, she has established a permanent donation point at the Kingswood centre to collect food and essential supplies for the Julian Trust.
The Julian Trust Night Shelter, located in St Paul’s, Bristol, has been providing emergency support to people experiencing homelessness since 1987. The charity offers overnight accommodation, hot meals, and washing facilities.
Sue’s final class was as colourful as it was emotional, with the instructor donning her signature rainbow tutu and wristbands – a nod to the 1980s fitness fashion she embraced when she first began her career.
And participants joined in the spirit by donning headbands, leg warmers, and leotards in a nostalgic celebration of her decades-long impact.
Despite undergoing two knee and two hip replacements, Sue continued to lead classes right up to her retirement. Now, she plans to enjoy her free lifetime membership at Kingswood Active Lifestyle Centre, which is run by charity Circadian Trust.
Martyn Hinam, manager of Kingswood, said: “Sue is such a special part of Kingswood Active Lifestyle Centre and her energy, kindness and commitment have touched so many lives.
“She’s not just led classes – she’s built friendships, boosted confidence, and helped people feel like they belong. That’s what we are all about – creating a space where everyone feels welcome, supported, and part of something bigger.
“Good luck Sue on your retirement – and we’ll look forward to seeing you on the ‘other side’ of the desk in the very near future.”