FITNESS fanatics put their best foot forwards as they ran for 24 hours in aid of Haitian families.
The team made up of members of the Lorne family and West Midlands Fire Service raised more than £4,300 when they hit the treadmill outside Tesco in Dorridge in aid of Christian charity Tearfund.
Emma Lorne was inspired to set up the challenge alongside husband Marc, who is also watch commander at Billsley Fire Station, after an anxious wait in August to see if the child they sponsor in Haiti and his family were safe following the latest earthquake.
The family have sponsored the nine-year-old boy for the past two years and have exchanged a number of letters during that time as well as provided him with access to education and medical support where needed.
She said: “It took some time for news to come through, and during that period, it was upsetting, thinking about the potential tragedy that could have unfolded for this boy and his family (and did unfold for many).
“We had news that our sponsored child and his family had survived the earthquake, but their home had been destroyed.”
The NHS psychologist therapist decided to set up the event in aid of Tearfund, which has a base in Haiti and helps tackle poverty through sustainable ways.
There were two treadmills set up and participants aged from seven to 69 took it in turns through the day and night to complete the challenge.
Emma said: “It was tough going and very cold at night.
“Myself and my husband did find it hard to muster cheer and enthusiasm through the early hours of the morning, but we did it.
“Having stayed awake for the vast majority of the 24-hour event, and feeling pretty ropy as a result in the following days, I can’t begin to imagine the hardship of sleeping under tarpaulin with my children, in the midst of the hurricane season, with food insecurity and gang violence in the back-drop.”
Emma said she has been reliably informed that all funds raised from this venture will be used to repair damaged homes and to help meet food needs of people affected by the earthquake.
For more or to donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/team24hourrunforhaiti.
