ALTON’S Energique Health Club members pulled out all the stops for BBC Sport Relief by undertaking four challenges in a week of fundraising - including a one-off Burpee Mile at Anstey Park.

According to gym manager and studio co-ordinator Craig Hicks, the intrepid fundraisers set out to swim the Channel, cycle from John O’Groats to Lands end, and aimed to hit one million steps in seven days.

Using the centre’s pool, the swimmers - the youngest was just five and the eldest in their 60s - far exceeded their target of 3,200 lengths, swimming a remarkable 4,877 lengths.

And they had 83 participants across the week for cycling in the gym who travelled a distance of 949 miles, way above the target of 874 miles.

But they experienced hindrance with the steps due to a few “teething problems” with the Sport Relief app and fitness trackers, with some not registering all activity.

“But continued to do the best we can toward our target,” vowed Mr Hicks.

And last Friday’s Burpee Mile event started with just seven hardy souls but, said Mr Hicks, “the cavalry soon arrived and we had 17”.

They broke the distance down and worked in relay mode, which made the workload more manageable.

“It took us 29 minutes and we finished the last 50 metres as a group,” said Mr Hicks.

“Ever since I started working I have been involved in Sport Relief.

“We take for granted everything that we have in our lives. We don’t need to give a second thought about the food in our cupboards, or the drinking water in our taps, or the clothes in our wardrobes, yet there are families around the world whose lives depend on these, and if we can make even a small contribution to this, through the power of exercise, then we will be very happy.”

And a proud Mr Hicks added: “The members here like a challenge, and as a joint effort this promotes a healthy community spirit, which will help towards our target of being more proactive and having more of a presence in and around the local community.”

On this occasion, due to problem with the app, members donated individually to Sport Relief.