The owner of a Rutherglen gym wants to encourage residents to shake off the winter blues and get active for a good cause.
Rosie McBride, who runs Ability Health & Fitness on Kirkwood Street, is holding a 100-mile challenge for February.
As the name indicates, the idea is to walk, run or cycle either 100 miles or 100 km throughout the month, collecting sponsorship that will then be donated to the St Vincent De Paul Society, a volunteer charity that helps underprivileged people.
The initial target is £1000 and Rosie says a key part of the challenge is that anyone can take part, finding something that is right for them.
She explained: “We had to change everything last year because of the pandemic.
“First we adapted to online exercise and then we were doing some things outdoors for a while when that was allowed.
“One of the things that proved popular was doing a lot of challenges – that really seemed to give some extra motivation to people.
“So when we went into the second lockdown after Christmas I wanted to do something like that again, and thought we could find a really worthwhile cause to help at the same time.”
Around 60 people are taking part, and Rosie believes that having a communal activity is a great help during lockdown.
She added: “We are encouraging people to post their progress online on Facebook and the chat has been constant.
“I think it helps keep people’s spirits up, both with taking part in something but also with having regular chat.
“It’s about getting through the month and supporting each other.”
Among other things, the St Vincent De Paul Society provides food parcels, visits the sick and housebound and also provides school uniforms.
To donate to the challenge visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ssvp-abilityfitness or check www.facebook.com/abilityfitnessrutherglen for further details.
