Michele Giles, a clinical therapist and former sports aerobics champion, is dedicating a day to fitness classes at Silsoe Leisure Centre in Bedfordshire to honor the memory of George Fox, a 13-year-old who tragically died from brain cancer in April 2022.
The event, set for Sunday, May 12th, will feature a series of back-to-back classes including dance fitness, body conditioning, and yoga. The classes, scheduled to start at noon, are designed to accommodate participants of all ages and abilities. Michele suggests a donation of £10-20 per person, with all proceeds going towards Brain Tumour Research to fund efforts to find a cure for brain tumors.
Michele met Louise Fox, George’s mother, at a fitness session a year after George’s passing. Moved by Louise’s determination to transform her grief into action, Michele organized this fitness fundraiser. “Raising money for charity has been therapeutic and cathartic for Louise. I can see how determined she is to help fund research into brain tumors so that other families don’t have to go through the heartache of losing a loved one, let alone a child,” Michele explained.
George, known affectionately as “Gorgeous George,” was a passionate Arsenal fan from Barton-le-Clay who was diagnosed with glioblastoma—an aggressive type of brain tumor. Despite undergoing multiple brain surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and even seeking treatments in Germany and America, George succumbed to his illness just 11 months after his diagnosis.
Since George’s death, his family has raised over £94,000 for Brain Tumour Research. While Michele never met George personally, she has been deeply moved by the stories shared by his family and inspired by their resilience.
“My hope is that the fitness day not only honors George’s memory but also brings energy and awareness to the fight against brain tumors,” Michele said. “It would be wonderful if each person who attends feels inspired to take on their own challenges to raise money for this vital cause.”
