Friends take on tough challenge in memory of Lisa

Lisa Calladine was remembered on Saturday night as Havant Leisure Centre was packed out for the fundraising event.

The 36-year-old fitness fanatic died last month, just days after completing the Brighton Marathon. Despite several hospital and GP visits expressing her fears that she had DVT, she was sent away and later died of the condition.

Lisa, a sales co-ordinator from Bedhampton, had a passion for body combat and had a large group of friends who did it with her at Havant Leisure Centre.

When they heard of her death they immediately arranged the marathon to help pay for her funeral.

The room was filled with balloons and ribbons in purple – her favourite colour – and a life-sized cardboard cutout of her taken during a body combat session was placed at the front.

Many of those taking part had to take a few moments out to compose themselves as remembering their friend became too much for them.

Lisa’s devastated mum, Donna Marsh, said: ‘We are overwhelmed by the kindness of people.

‘We knew Lisa was popular but we had no idea how popular.

‘It’s amazing for the combat friends to have done this for her.

‘She absolutely loved it.

‘Even now I’m still being sent flowers every day.

‘I have so many cards from people. Many of them I do not even know, they’ve just heard about Lisa and what a lovely person she was.

‘She touched the lives of so many people.’

Sarah Styles, one of the organisers of the body combat marathon, said Lisa was an inspiration. She said: ‘I knew Lisa through body combat and was drawn to her because she was loud, like me. She helped me so much when I did my charity body combat events – she offered support to everyone. Lisa was a really great girl.’

DJ Luke Ennor did the music for free.

More than £6,000 has been raised to pay for Lisa’s funeral, on May 20.

To make a donation go to bit.ly/1T4pt6A