One YMCA to mark 140 years with unique fitness fundraiser

One YMCA are challenging people to complete 140 km of exercise this September to mark 140 years of service.

Participants are free to take on the virtual fundraiser however they like - whether it’s through a series of intense runs or more relaxing walks in the park.

Those taking part in September’s fundraiser will be given a link to Strava, an app where exercisers can track their progress.

Peter Hopkins, Fundraising Relationships Officer at One YMCA, said: ”It is intended to be accessible for everyone - you can run, cycle, swim or jog it over the course of the month,

“There’s no right or wrong way to do it, so we’re hoping people will have some fun with it.”

The challenge will run throughout the entirety of September, allowing people to complete the 140 km at their own pace.

It is also free to sign up for, with One YMCA asking participants to raise a minimum of £140 each in donations. 

According to Peter, any funds raised will be used to support the charity where needed, with just £10 able to provide a mental health counselling session for example. 

Peter added: “We [One YMCA] do so much more than people realise - there’s youth work, domestic abuse support, educational programmes and so on.”

The 140 km also ties in with the distance between One YMCA’s community hubs in Watford, Bedford and High Wycombe, places where people can access things like yoga classes and social enterprise cafes.

The fundraiser forms part of wider celebrations for 140 years of One YMCA, which saw a Firewalk and Gala held earlier this year.

Together, these events raised more than £20,000 through sponsorships and donations, with the Gala alone raising £17,480.60 for charity.

For more information or to sign up to the 140 km challenge, click here.