A SPORT and Fitness student from Ayrshire College has been delivering Zumba sessions to elderly residents of Irvine’s Vennel Gardens Community Hub.

Adrienne Thomson has taken the class every Wednesday morning over the past year and will return in July after her summer break.

The women in Vennel Gardens have really enjoyed the sessions, which began after Adrienne visited for a day in 2016.

Ayrshire College had asked HND student Adrienne to deliver chair-based exercises to the group.

Adrienne really enjoyed it and decided to continue delivering fitness classes in adapted Zumba on a weekly basis.

Adrienne said: “I just loved it when I came here. They’re like a wee family and we’ve got a great friendship going.

"Normally I’ve got between 20-30 people taking part and I think they really enjoy it.

“It’s adapted for an easier fitness level so that everyone can take part.

"It’s working their joints and getting the heart rate going, but it’s a full body workout at a pace that’s right for them.

"Plus they enjoy the music!”

The women have started handing in small donations each week for Cancer Research UK, where Adrienne volunteers with her father.

They will continue to raise money for the charity while Adrienne enjoys her summer travels.

She said: “My dad has volunteered for over 12 years and over that time we’ve helped to raise £50-60,000 through voluntary work, fundraising at Cancer Research UK events and working within the Irvine shop.

“Recently the women have started to put some money into a box for us, which is lovely.”

Adrienne’s time at Ayrshire College is coming to an end and she is planning to progress to university to study International Sports Management.

Adrienne said: “I’d love to go onto cruise ships and do personal training sessions and fitness classes.

“This experience has helped me massively.

"I’ve worked with children at the College and this has introduced me to working with older adults, and I love it.

"It’s definitely something I would consider doing in the future, and I’m going to keep the Zumba going for as long as I can.”