A FORMER dancer who as a teenager survived being attacked by a cheetah may well be the fittest 88-year-old in Taunton.
Faye Markham, who used to work on the Benny Hill Show and other TV programmes, works out three times a week at the toning and leisure suite at the Blackbrook Leisure Centre and Spa
She has been using the toning chairs and tables at the centre since she moved to Taunton and her son offered to pay her membership fees.
"He never knew I'd still be coming 30 years later, so it's cost him quite a bit," said Faye, who has early onset dementia.
"I've never stopped exercising. I'm frightened to stop.
"I want to stay fit to keep walking and doing other things.
"Age is just a number, but if you stop exercising, that's it.
"I go on all the different equipment to use various parts of my body.
"I feel the benefits physically and mentally.
"I look forward to coming because the people are so nice and encouraging and I've made some good friends."
Faye's contretemps with a cheetah happened when she was 18 and appearing in panto in Birmingham.
She was taken to Dudley zoo in her stage costume for a photo shoot with the big cat.
"It was well trained and I took it for a walk," she said.
"Then it suddenly leapt at me and I was badly mauled.
My shoulders, arms and legs were badly injured, but I had to go back on stage that night.
"When you're you're in panto you can't stop work just because you're hurt."
Jane Hofmeister, who works at the toning and wellness suite, said: "Faye is marvellous.
"She does all the exercises and still manages to stretch her leg up onto the ballet bar.
"We cater for activity for every age.
"It's important that people over the age of 60 make sure they keep active for as many years as possible.
"We have a lot of people in that age range and others in their 80s.
"It's beneficial for their mental wellbeing and health."
Meanwhile, Faye was among members at the Everyone Active-run centre who have been busy raising funds for the Somerset Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Musgrove Park Hospital.
They raised £750 for the unit through activities including a tombola, bric a brac and refreshment sale.
Share