AN internationally-renown-ed aerobics instructor who raised thousands of pounds for charity has died after an eight-year battle with cancer.

Judie Williams travelled all over the world, visiting Brazil, Japan and America and other countries to take part in and judge aerobics competitions and attend conventions.

The 57-year-old also joined in hundreds of fund-raising events to supported charities, including a children's hospital, maternity units and cancer causes.

Mrs Williams, of Nene Way, Hilton, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2001 and had an operation to remove a tumour a week later.

She underwent several courses of chemotherapy and later tried drug trials at the Royal Marsden Hospital, in London, but her condition continued to deteriorate.

She died at the Nightingale Macmillan Unit at the Royal Derby Hospital earlier this month.

Her husband, David, 62, said Judie never did things by halves.

He said: "She really was well known all over this country, if not the world, and things really took off for her in Derby.

"She just did so much with her life and, even when she was in pain, she kept on coping.

"She was such a caring person and would do anything for anybody – she really was indescribable."

Born in Hartlepool in 1952, Judie met her husband in Bridlington, before the pair moved to Derbyshire in 1970.

She found a job dancing at the former Talk of the Midlands nightclub, in Derby, which featured performers such as singer Matt Munro.

Judie held her first aerobic classes at the All Saints' Church Hall, in Mickleover, in 1982, and, in the late 1980s, took up the role of aerobics instructor at Moorways Sport Centre.

She initially took classes of five, but increased this to 100 before becoming a Derby City Council fitness co-ordinator, working with Moorways and the Queen's Leisure Centre.

Judie also set up many of her own charity events, usually involving dance and aerobics, and took part in others, including the Race for Life.

Friend Helen Dean, 55, of Chantry Close, Mickleover, said: "She was such an inspiration and incredibly motivating.

"Her classes were popular and she really made an impact on a lot of people's lives, because she had that habit of getting into your mind and making an impression on you."

As well as travelling abroad, Judie also held annual aerobic conventions in Derby, inviting speakers and presenters from across the world.

She entered competitions and taught classes at national and international levels and did commentary on aerobic events for Eurosport.

Colleague Amanda Sharman, marketing and performance manager at the council, said Judie helped to put Derby on the map.

She said: "Judie developed her own unique brand of aerobics. She will be missed."

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