Test your fitness and raise vital funds for charity in Tadley August bank holiday 24-hour gym challenge
Organisers of a new endurance challenge that will test the stamina of even the fittest while raising much-needed funds for good causes are encouraging people to sign up and join in over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The 727 Challenge will see participants trying to smash a 5,000-mile target in just 24 hours, by running, cycling, rowing or skiing.
The challenge was created by Newbury businesses Ortho Consulting Group and Osteotec in partnership with Inner Athlete Gym and the SoPhysical sports injury clinic in Basingstoke.
They hope to raise £5,000 for three good causes - mental health charity Mind, the Chris Donovan Trust and the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH).
The event will be held at Inner Athlete Gym at Ash Park Business Centre in Tadley and starts at 7pm on Friday, August 26, culminating in a grand finish exactly 24 hours later.
A team of 12 people from across the four companies will be battling exhaustion through the night to complete 2,500 miles between them. And they are calling on friends, family, colleagues and fitness enthusiasts to join them either in
person at the Tadley gym or remotely to log their miles and make a donation to help them smash the 5,000-miles barrier.
“We’ve been lucky enough to experience the power of community and togetherness during the pandemic and we knew we wanted to give something back,” said Ortho Consulting Group founder Matt Woods.
“Our charity beneficiaries do amazing work to support people locally, nationally and in low-income countries worldwide.
“We hope our contribution can help wherever it may be needed. We’ve been blown away by the enthusiasm from people wanting to take part or help out on the day.”
Organisers have set up a JustGiving page where people can make a donation and record their miles, while anyone who wants to take part in person will find a dedicated area set up for them to use at the gym, where volunteers will be on hand to log their activities.
To make a donation or find out more, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/727-challenge
Inner Athlete gym owner Jessica Lavender said: “Charities across the board have had a difficult time
during the pandemic and we’re so excited to give back this year.
“We’re all training hard to make sure we hit our 5,000-mile target and we want as many people to come down on the day and join in to keep wheels in motion for the full 24 hours.
“We know our wonderful community of members and clients will give their best to get the miles done on the day.”
Refreshments will be available from the Green Bean Coffee Co on Saturday between 11am and 3pm and a barbecue will be held from 3pm to 7pm.
