Northants gymnast supporting NHS with rainbow leotard as she adapts to home workouts

A young gymnast from a Northamptonshire village is supporting frontline workers by wearing a rainbow leotard of which all proceeds go to the NHS.

Blossom Major, from Brixworth, was born prematurely at 30 weeks and spent a number of weeks in intensive care at Northampton General Hospital.

The now 11-year-old, who normally trains at Kettering Gymnastics Club for up to 25 hours a week, is wearing the leotard with a sparkly rainbow and 'I heart NHS' on it as ‘her way of giving back’.

Blossom’s mum, Polly, said: “She hasn’t had any new leotards for competitions because they have been postponed.

“So when she saw this one advertised on my phone, she really wanted to get it.

“Some people are putting rainbows in windows, Blossom is wearing hers on her leotard and she is wearing it all the time.”

Blossom, who competes at county, regional and national levels, has had to adapt her training programme to home workouts so that she can continue to work towards her dream of competing in big arena competitions.

Polly added: “When the lockdown was introduced, the club gave out pieces of equipment, as well as creating a home training programme and hosting Zoom sessions.

“With artistic gymnastics you can train your basic skills but without a beam or equipment you can’t train properly at home.

“But it’s important for her to train strength and flexibility so she can almost pick up where she left off when they are allowed back in the gym, so she’s working hard at home.

“She is balancing it with all her school work as she's very dedicated, but I think she is missing gymnastics socially.”

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