Two East Kilbride gym owners have raised more than £11,000 for charity in a 24-hour-event.
Ally McKinnon and Simon Thomson from Base Fitness & CrossFit took on a gruelling 24-hour indoor row, with the ultimate goal of beating a world record and raising as much money as possible for charity.
Every year since the gym was established in 2013, the boys have organised or participated in a charity event.
And in a bid to raise more money than ever, they set themselves an extra challenge of beating the world record for the maximum indoor distance rowed by two males (aged 30-39) in 24 hours – currently 364,464 meters.
Speaking to the News after the event, Simon and Ally said: “Challenge done. We didn’t break the world record but finished the row and raised a lot of money which we are super proud of.”
The boys had an initial target of £10,000 and have already managed to raise over £11,500 for Marie Curie.
They started their row at 8am on Friday and finished up 24 hours later. Before the event kicked off, Simon said: “We had been training hard and doing massive indoor rows in the run up to the event.
“We just want to raise as much money as we possibly can for a charity that helps so many families in the UK.
“Everyone who donates will also be entered into a free prize draw which includes the chance to win a Concept2 rowing machine.”
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity.
They provide frontline nursing and hospice care, a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement.
Ally added: “Like many people, we have experienced the loss of a loved one from terminal illness and know first hand how valuable the support from Marie Curie is for those reaching the end of their lives.
“In 2011 Simon lost his dad to cancer. To mark what would have been the year of his 70th birthday, he wants to raise money for the charity that offered so much care and support to his family at that time.”
To make a donation, visit: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/sally24row
