HULA hooping enthusiasts have shown off their impressive skills by taking on a wacky challenge for a cause close to their hearts.

A group of determined women have been training in all weathers for months to hula hoop four miles down Grange promenade.

The hoopers, made up of team leader Linda ‘Lindy Lu’ Ogden, Judith ‘Octopussy’ Rees, Jeanette 'Whirlwind' Coward, Julie 'Dynamo' Delve, Sue (Sunflower) and Denise (Daffodil), began the sport during lockdown in a bid to learn a new skill and keep fit.

During that time, the group experienced a number of traumatic events, including a relative being critically ill with Covid-19, personal losses of family members, a team member battling cancer and the heartbreak of separation from their families.

To keep spirits high, the group began hula hooping on a regular basis before deciding to raise money for St Mary's Hospice which was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Ogden said the group 'wanted to do something different' to keep fit and raise much-needed funds for charity.

She said: “We wanted to have an idea to do the hula hoop and relate it to the race for life and wanted to do something different so we came up with this.

“We really started to do it during lockdown independently and grouped up when we could manage it when social distancing guidelines allowed.

“We have just improved from there but none of us have actually walked with our hula hoops before. “We are just a group of friends from Grange and we have done this in all weathers, rain or snow, you name it we have done it, that is why we are called the Hardy Hulahoopers.”

Fellow team member Julie Delve had just undergone chemotherapy before taking on the challenge, recommending it as a great exercise and a feel good activity.

She said: "We all went to Zumba together then that stopped and I was moaning about my waistline and Linda suggested I started hula hooping and it just went from there. “If it hadn’t been for lockdown I don’t think think anything of us would have hooped.”

Becky Brown, area fundraiser for St Mary’s Hospice, added: "It is such a fun challenge and such a different way to show support. This group is determined to raise funds for St Mary’s and have found a whacky and interesting way to do so.

"It is fantastic to see their enthusiasm and positivity and I am sure they will make a lot of people smile throughout the challenge.

“We can’t thank them enough or the people that have been supporting them, their donations will help us care for those that need it most and will also spread some cheer and happiness in the meantime."

If you would like to make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lindaogden.