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LFC FoundationKirby and Bernabe hear cancer survivor’s story at Red Neighbours yoga session
LFC Women’s Faye Kirby and Alejandra Bernabe met LFC Foundation participant Karen to hear how chair-based yoga has become an important part of her recovery following a breast cancer diagnosis.
The pair visited at the end of a session delivered through the Foundation’s Red Neighbours community engagement programme.
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Watch on YouTubeKaren was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 and has undergone four operations, including a full mastectomy.
Having enjoyed sport throughout her life, she was introduced to the Foundation’s chair-based yoga sessions during her recovery through a support group and has been a regular ever since.
During the visit, Kirby and Bernabe spent time chatting with Karen about her journey since her diagnosis, hearing what the sessions mean to her and the others who take part.
Karen explained how much she values both the physical activity and social connection the sessions offer. She also attends the Foundation’s walking football sessions.
She then took the lead, demonstrating some of the movements participants practise in chair-based yoga, with the Reds duo following her instructions and trying the moves themselves.
Bernabe said: “I think it’s so nice to create these spaces because they can spend time together and they can forget about the things that they are going through. It’s so important sometimes to spend time with people and talk and laugh.”
Kirby added: “If you feel good and your body feels good then your head feels better too and you feel stronger in every way so it’s a benefit for everything.”
She continued: “I think the Foundation do a lot of things like this that not a lot of people know about or are aware of and it’s amazing what they are doing every day in the community.”
Funded by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association Community Fund, the chair-based yoga sessions take place at local community venues and offer gentle physical movement, stretching, and guided meditation to help participants build fitness, improve balance, boost confidence, and tackle social isolation.
Last season the Red Neighbours programme donated £413,541 in gifted items and experiences – including 5,141 match tickets for local school children, and 1,000 hot meals per week delivered to the local community.
To learn more about LFC Foundation’s Red Neighbours programmes, visit the Red Neighbours community engagement page.