CHARITY worker Helen Crowther has praised a new training programme for giving her a much-needed confidence boost.

Helen, who works for the Children's Adventure Farm Trust as a fundraiser, has been training for eight weeks at Ultimate Fitness Cheshire in Higher Whitley.

Having donated a kidney to a friend in January last year, Helen had lost confidence and struggled to get back into exercise following the operation.

The 46-year-old has always been a keen runner, but after suffering a hip injury, followed by a kidney operation, she lacked motivation to progress with her fitness.

Following a recommendation from her niece she joined Mike Wood's 'Cheshire 100' - a campaign designed to recruit 100 gym members and introduce them to different ways of training.

Helen said: "The training has been great. When I first started I felt like I had never trained before in my life when I realised what actual training was.

"It was completely different, because I'd only been doing cardio before. It was a shock to the system, but I loved it straight away - I was hooked."

Personal trainer Mike kickstarted the 'Cheshire 100' campaign in January, and has about 17 members training weekly at his gym.

Mike trains with Helen three times a week as part of her membership.

Helen said: "I’ve lost weight and feel brilliant. After my kidney operation I lost the confidence to get back into exercise, and was struggling to get motivated, but since I joined Cheshire 100 I’ve felt so in control and positive."