The Blue Brothers movement was first established in Christchurch in February 2019 by the late Dave Cattermole and his partner Gill Kane who remains a key figure in the organisation.
Dave died on June 23, 2024, after a cancer diagnosis in 2015. He was determined to “live with cancer" in the best possible way and wanted to help other men with the disease to do the same.
Blue Brothers now run 10 weekly classes in Christchurch, Blenheim, Ashburton, Rolleston and Rangiora, supporting 140 men with new members joining every month.
Ken Haines, from Swannanoa, says the exercise classes provide camaraderie, and opportunities to "share our stories, which is so important".
"We are very appreciative of the many amazing organisations who support us financially to enable us to do this work," Gill says.
"This includes our partnership with North Canterbury Sport and Recreation Trust to deliver Blue Brothers classes which are now held at the MainPower Stadium in Rangiora."
The North Canterbury classes began on May 3, 2021, with original trainer Mischa Skelley and only one or two participants.
Now there are 60-plus men in the Rangiora group with classes being held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:15am, Gill says.
Last Wednesday the men who took part in Kaaren Shaw’s Rangiora exercise class were joined by her and another trainer Bridget Grafton to celebrate the five-year anniversary with a birthday cake made by Bridget’s daughter Molly Grafton.
- To find out more about the Blues Brothers, go to www.bluebrothers.org.nz
