Energetic residents across Stockport have ‘actively’ raised more than £3,800 for charity.

The impressive total is the result of generous donations made in sponsorship of those who took part in Life Leisure’s 10 Day Challenge – a ‘virtual’ fitness event set up to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

The Stockport-based fitness provider came up with the challenge in an effort to support the charity, which has been prevented from hosting its annual Race For Life fundraisers due to lockdown restrictions.

With mass gatherings banned, Life Leisure instead challenged its staff, members and the wider public to jog, walk, run or ride 10km in 10 days, 8km in eight days, 5km in five days or 3km in three days, and post their efforts on social media.

Ruth Lynch, Head of Health, Fitness and Communities at Life Leisure, headed up the initiative.

She said: “It’s been such an amazing event! So many people got behind the idea, set their own specific activity targets and totally smashed it to bring in much needed sponsorship money.

We would like to thank everyone who took on our challenge and helped raised such a fantastic sum.

“Lots of charities really depend on sporting events to raise much needed funds, and it’s around now when Cancer Research UK usually holds its Race For Life.

“We hope this money will go some way toward filling that funding gap caused by the current lockdown restrictions.”