A charity dance workout is being held aid of a St Albans dad suffering with a deteriorating lung condition.
Philip Broadley, 35, from the King Harry area, needs a double lung transplant to ease his life-long bronchiectasis.
A permanent enlargement of his airways causes him to suffer chronic coughing, breathlessness, and coughing up blood.
He is currently receiving treatment at Harefield Hospital in London and is on the transplant waiting list.
While he waits Phillip and his wife Michelle are fundraising for the hospital, which they describe as nothing short of incredible.
Michelle said: “It’s been a scary journey so far, lots of tremendously difficult discussions, a huge insight into the world of organ donation and transplants, telling family and friends, or harder still telling our two children.
“Then there’s the planning for the future as best we can - be it for the ‘when you’re better’ or the ‘if I’m no longer here’ moments.”
The couple have two children, eldest Noah and bronchiectasis sufferer Olivia - who may also end up needing a transplant in the future.
Michelle said: “While we are forced to cover the negatives, we stay thankful for all that we have, and it’s all that we have that gives us the strength to go on and keep our thoughts positive for a successful transplant and good health for many more years to come.”
She said staff at Harefield fill them with confidence by being so thorough and kind.
A 26-strong team of Phillip’s friends and family raised more than £1,600 last year by jogging a 5K fun run, and they are hoping to top that total for this fundraiser.
The event is a dance-based workout with glow sticks, disco lights, and classic anthems known as Clubbercise.
Michelle thanked Marlborough Science Academy for donating the venue space and the instructor for her involvement: “We’re hugely grateful for the donations we received from the 5k fun run last year, and couldn’t be continuing with this fund raiser if it wasn’t for a very kind and generous friend of ours, Helen Kirkby.
“She is the local Clubbercise class instructor and kindly offered to donate not just her time and equipment, but to hold a class where all the proceeds are going to the charity, she has been amazing.”
Tickets to the 45-minute class and raffle, which starts at 7.30pm at Marlborough on April 25, are available by donating £7 to www.justgiving.com/Michelle-Broadley2 and quoting clubbercise in the comment section. Alternatively, visit www.worldrhythms.co.uk/payments
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