24-hour endurance challenge raises thousands
Determined staff at University College Birmingham have sweated it out for a full 24 hours in an endurance event on campus to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
Lecturers from the University's Department of Sport and Nutrition rowed, ran and cycled their way through day and night as part of the UCB 24-hour Endurance Challenge in support of Diabetes UK.
The gruelling challenge was held at the cutting-edge Human Performance Centre in Moss House, with the team jogging up and down the facility's 35m indoor running track as well as burning up energy on the rowing machines and exercise bikes.
Participants took turns to maintain the three activities throughout the duration of the challenge, with many staying on campus overnight.
Boosted by a range of sports drinks and food items donated by sports nutrition firm Nutrition X, the athletes were further helped by students on the Uuiversity's Sports Therapy BSc (Hons) course, who were on hand to help with much-needed massages and treatment to help everyone over the line.
Meanwhile Sports Management BA (Hons) students constructed and managed the social media marketing of the event, which was livestreamed on Facebook, with many members of the University 's community sharing dozens of comments in support of those taking part.
And having initially aimed to raise £1,000 for Diabetes UK, the team's incredible efforts had attracted almost double that target by the time the final whistle sounded the following day. They have so far raised more than £3,500.
Sports lecturer Carl Bennett, who oversaw the organisation of the challenge, said: “The aims were to provide opportunities for our students to support a real-time event, create a team-building experience for lecturers and raise awareness of the University, all while raising money for a worthwhile cause.
“The support from everyone was overwhelming."
The whistle to start and finish the event was sounded by vice-chancellor and Principal Michael Harkin, who said: “All of the staff participating trained incredibly hard for the event.
"I and everyone at the University are extremely proud of their commitment to such a great cause.
“They are a great example to all of their students, whom they support so brilliantly in the wonderful Human Performance Centre where they undertook the event. ”
Charlotte Wright, from Diabetes UK, added: “We were watching online and it was amazing to see everyone taking on this physical feat to support us - thank you so much from everyone at Diabetes UK.
“Without the help of generous supporters like the Endurance Challenge team, we simply would not be able to offer support to the thousands of people with diabetes contacting our helpline, the millions at risk of type 2 diabetes, campaign to keep people with diabetes safe in the places they work and learn, or to invest in vital research - taking us a step closer to our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm. ”
Donations can still be made to the UCB 24hr Endurance Challenge page on JustGiving here.