Lincoln City defender Lewis Montsma visited the Lincoln City Foundation’s Fighting Fit class as part of the EFL’s Week of Action last Tuesday (November, 7th).
The Fighting Fit programme has been set up by the Foundation, for people who are either living with, or recovering from cancer. The classes ae made up of low-impact exercises to maintain fitness levels, and to help support those who have been through, or are going through their cancer journeys.
City defender Montsma took part in one of the sessions and spoke with participants about their journeys. He said: “I really enjoyed it. It was good to see everyone was smiling and working to the best they can, which was good to see. I was very happy to be here.”
The Dutchman was happy that the foundation was helping the community and highlighted how important it is for it to remain close to those who need it.
He said: “It’s very important. Firstly, for all the people out there. It’s good for us football players to do something else other than football. You can see all the people who maybe struggle from mental health and it’s good to see and interact with them.
“I do enjoy being here. If me being here boosted morale of other people here, then let me come every week I don’t mind.”
The Imps defender hasn’t featured for the side since March due to an ACL injury.
He feels he can learn a lot following his visit to the Fighting Fit group: “I think to see people with worse problems than my little knee injury, doing the best they can and keep smiling, and trying to be happy every day and doing the best they can in these sessions, and interact with other people, of course I can learn a lot from that.”
Jo Prince was one of the participants of the session and describes it as the best thing she has done.
She said: “I was recommended Fighting Fit. I came along and thought ‘can I do this?’. But it’s been the best thing mentally and physically I have done. We are really inappropriate because we can be. Because we are in the same boat. It’s the support that is so vital. What people forget is how lonely cancer can be. Having people around you that ask how you feel is great.”
The visit from Lewis Montsma meant a lot to those partaking in the session. Jo said: “Its essential. It helps us to be seen. Cancer is an invisible illness. When we get people like Lewis coming down, just being here makes you feel recognised. We need the support, we need the fundraising, we need the awareness because groups like this will close otherwise.”
The Foundation allows for these groups to come together, which allows for a social element of the recovery process, as well as the physical side.
John Brett, another participant, echoed the words of Jo. He said: “Some of us come on some days and we are feeling terrible, and we are there to lift each other up. That’s one of the best things I have got out of this.
“Its a nice morale boost to see the club getting involved. The Foundation itself we have a lot of contact with, but actually having someone from the team is a real good boost.”
Phillip Watson led the session at Yarborough Leisure Centre and was excited by the work that the Foundation are doing.
He said: “It was extra-special with Lewis coming to visit us. The atmosphere that was created, everyone as bouncing off each other which is great for these guys. It doesn’t matter what health condition you have, exercise is for everyone. Its all different age groups which is really important, it’s not just one age group.
“The brand of the football club means there’s so much work going on behind the scenes. To have that awareness that the foundation does have a lot of these programmes on, it’s just about highlighting them to the community.”