AN ENDURANCE challenge which saw fundraisers taking on a sporting activity for 24 hours has raised thousands of pounds.

After four months of preparation and hundreds of hours of training, the inaugural 727 Challenge saw participants smash their 5,000-mile target in just 24 hours raising more than £8,400 for good causes.

The challenge was launched in the spring by Newbury businesses Ortho Consulting Group and Osteotec in partnership with the team at Tadley’s Inner Athlete Gym and the SoPhysical sports injury clinic in Basingstoke.

Kicking off at 7pm on Friday, August 26, the challenge saw a team of 12 running, cycling, rowing and skiing for a full 24 hours, battling exhaustion through the night to complete 2,500 miles between them.

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Held at Inner Athlete Gym at Ash Park Business Centre in Tadley, the participants were joined by a dedicated team of volunteers with more than 100 friends, family, colleagues and fitness enthusiasts from across the area joining in to show their support and collectively smash the 5,000-mile barrier to raise much-needed funds and awareness for three great causes.

With donations still coming in, the fundraising target currently stands at more than £8,270 with donations and miles logged from countries across the globe including Kenya, Australia and Brazil to name a few.

Proceeds from the event will go to the mental health charity Mind, the Chris Donovan Trust and the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH).

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The event was only made possible thanks to the generous assistance of supporters including Concept2, Love My Cake, John Burton’s Foodmarket, Transformation Chef, Green Bean Coffee Co, 1st Class Logistics, Huel and Range Meal Bars.

“We’ve been lucky enough to experience the power of community and togetherness during the pandemic and we knew we wanted to give something back,” said Ortho Consulting Group founder Matt Woods.

“Our charity beneficiaries do amazing work to support people locally, nationally and in low-income countries worldwide. We hope our contribution can help wherever it may be needed.”