There are many reasons to join an exercise class, but none as harrowing as Elli Galvani’s.
The Barkingside mum lost her six-year-old daughter Eden in a tragic accident at a resort in Turkey when a fire display went horrifically wrong.
Her daughter fought through “three days of hell” before dying from 70 per cent burns, a heart attack and kidney failure.
Disappointed with the short-term counselling services available to bereaved families, Elli set up her own service, which is largely funded through Zumba classes she runs in Ilford, Gants Hill and Chigwell. Elli is appealing to residents to come to the class and support a vital lifeline for families.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about the horror she went through and she was aware during all of it,” she said.
“I had lost a child and suddenly I saw all these other people who had lost a child too.
“More and more people in the borough talked to me – I knew I had to do something.”
On top of holding down a full-time job and heading up a charity in Eden’s name, Elli launched a drop in group and counselling service for couples and children.
Needing a way to fund the group, she used her background in dance and trained as a Zumba instructor.
“A year or two after her death I went to a Zumba class and it was the first time I didn’t think about what happened and I smiled,” she said
“I now understand the true meaning of the word bittersweet.
“I always loved dancing and there is a positive from it all, I can make money for charity.”
Elli has seen the transformative effects of the counselling, and the service helps participants see how people grieve differently. – Whereas some might shut themselves away, others want to go out and do things.
Eden’s Trust also runs drop-in groups, educational workshops aimed at helping friends and family members talk to someone who has lost a child.
Many people don’t know what to say and avoid those grieving, worrying that they will say the wrong thing.
“The counselling is a great thing but it is also a responsibility,” said Elli.
“There are times when I get really low – the court case and Eden’s inquest are still ongoing – I haven’t got complete closure.
“But when the children tell me what a difference it has made to their lives and how the sessions keep them going, it give me that push.
“I feel like Eden is working with me and when something hard comes up, something always seems to fall into place.
“I am extremely thankful to all the people that come to the Zumba classes, as without them I wouldn’t be able to carry on.”
Visit edenstrust.org.uk/zumba.
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