The staff and members of Sheffield gym, Prime Mover Fitness are raising funds to help the people of Beirut affected by the recent, devastating explosion by walking, running, cycling and rowing the distance from Sheffield to Beirut (2,975 miles) using gym equipment (treadmills, exercise bikes and rowing machines) as well as logging outdoor exercise. They will be logging the first 1,975 miles, to the Bulgaria/Turkey border between 1st and 18th September and completing the last 1,000 miles in the gym in a 12 hour period on 19th.

The target is to raise £10,000. We have chosen the Red Cross Beirut Emergency Appeal to receive the donations - please see below the statement from the appeal:

On August 4, an enormous explosion obliterated the port of Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon. Its reported that at least 100 people have been killed and over 4,000 people are injured. These numbers are likely to continue to rise. The devastation to the city and to the people cannot be understated.

The eastern part of Beiruts port has been totally destroyed, and buildings across the city have been severely damaged. This is a scary situation. Hospitals have been heavily damaged, and they are overwhelmed with the number of people now needing medical help unable to treat everyone. Some have had to be treated in the streets and many sent to hospitals outside Beirut.

The British Red Cross is working closely with the Lebanese Red Cross who have been responding to the crisis. The immediate focus is on saving lives.