CELEBRITY fitness guru, Mr Motivator put students through their paces at St Helen's School last week.

The qualified fitness instructor, known to his family and friends as Derrick Evans, took to the school's main sports hall in Eastbury Road, Northwood on Thursday, September 26, for a charity workout designed to promote exercise and healthy living among students of secondary school age.

The popular celebrity renowned for his luminous lycra leotards and daring cycling shorts had little difficulty motivating the students, parents af teachers at the school who swiftly sprung into action following his choreographed routines and echoing his upbeat chants, to raise more than £4,000 for a number of children's charities, including The Sunshine House for the blind and partially sighted, in Dene Road, Northwood.

Mr Motivator first made his debut television performance on GMTV in the early 1990's and is still said to be the pillar of health on approach to his 50th birthday, which he looks forward to celebrating later this year.

Not in the slightest bit out of breath, following his energetic and lively wrokout, Mr Motivator said: "I want an army of motivators, I believe that we need to show children and young people that exercise is fun and should form a vital part of our everyday lives.

"In schools nowadays, children do so much of their work sitting down and P.E is normally cast aside.

"I am worried because children are becoming obese, they need to exercise.

"If they were to exercise for 20 minutes before school, they would have more energy to help them to study."

October 1, 2002 13:00