ARARAT Anytime Fitness patrons have started their 24-hour treadmill challenge to raise money for suicide prevention.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One person after another will keep walking or running on a treadmill from the start of the challenge at 12pm Friday to 12pm on Saturday.
Ararat Anytime Fitness club manager Lauren Armstrong said most people had signed up to take part in the relay for 15 to 30 minutes at a time.
“It can be a bit tough finding people for all the time slots in a small town,” she said.
“I think the staff members will have to pitch in to keep the treadmill running at about 1am.”
38 people have signed up for the challenge and the campaign had raised almost $1500 this month before the challenge started.
“Hopefully we can make it to $2000. I think we can get there,” Ms Armstrong said.
People can still donate to the fundraising campaign while the challenge is running via www.anytimefitness.com.au/treadmillrun/.
Participants will be able to compete with each other during the challenge for fastest 500 metre sprint and one kilometre run and most distance covered.
Ms Armstrong said the campaign had received donations from a lot of businesses in Ararat.
“We’d particularly like to thank Mitre 10, Fred and Bets Cafe, Subway and Baker’s Brew for their big donations,” she said.
“We have also had support from the Ararat Football Netball Club.”
More than 200 Anytime Fitness clubs in Australia will be involved in the campaign, with the aim of raising $500,000 for Suicide Prevention Australia.
The aim of the organisation is to help create a community that knows how to ask for help and give those help.
Ms Armstrong said Anytime Fitness had become involved in the 24 Hour Treadmill Challenge for suicide Prevention Australia because it is a cause very dear to their hearts.
“We are especially concerned that the highest suicide rate is among men ages 18-34 years old, which is the key are group of our members” she said.
For help call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 251, or Lifeline on 131 114.