FITNESS enthusiasts staged a unique 24-hour virtual relay and raised £1, 360 for Mid Cheshire Foodbank.

Keen runners Elaine Collins and Iain Borsbey teamed up with 80 people who ran, cycled, walked or crawled for 30 minutes throughout the weekend.

The pair were inspired to come up with the Miles For Meals Virtual Relay at a time when normal exercise routines have been curtailed during the lockdown.

Northwich Guardian:

Sophie Bestwick used turns a chocolate bar into a baton for the virtual relay

Runners from Winsford and Northwich completed their circuits during the day on Saturday and Sunday whilst people on the other side of the world in India and Australia mount their marathons during the night.

Some did their relay at home or in their gardens whilst others incorporated it into their daily exercises.

Iain Borsbey said: "We ran and cycled 279.63 miles across 42 hours without a break

Elaine Collins, 40, from Northwich, said: “I wanted to try and bring people closer together in a time of isolation using the technology to hand.

“Local charities have always been close to my heart and I particularly wanted to work with foodbanks due to the unprecedented strain they are under at this moment.

Northwich Guardian:

Giles and Cora Cobley were inspired by the famous Irish stout as their baton

“It has been inspiring to see the speed of the uptake.”

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Elaine’s dad Dave Farrington and Karen Davies, recovering from cancer, who both live in Winsford, joined in with the event.

Altogether almost 100 people have donated vital cash to the foodbank.

Fundraisers were challenged to come up with creative 'batons' for their relay.

Northwich Guardian:

Sarah Kinder used a little giraffe as her baton

Iain added: “We gave prizes for the most innovative ways of getting round."

Prizes were generously provided by sports equipment specialist the Rosebank Centre on Witton Street in Northwich.

A spokesman for MidCheshire Foodbank said: “It has been great working with Elaine. The idea is really novel and has attracted a lot of interest.”

Elaine added: “Mid Cheshire foodbank provides a vital role to the community where families can’t get hold of emergency food supplies.

“It is especially important in these times that funds are directed towards foodbanks as they come under additional pressure due to the increased demand, especially as the spread of Covid-19 takes its toll on the economy. It is hoped that we we can raise as much as possible to help the foodbank.

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/miles4meals

How to get support from your foodbank

As part of the Feed our Foodbank campaign, the Guardian is shining a light on Mid Cheshire Foodbank and pointing the public in the right direction of where to get help.

Northwich Guardian:

Mid Cheshire Foodbank provides food parcels from its distribution centre in Northwich by appointment.

Deliveries can be arranged for residents who are unable to leave home.

Northwich residents can now text or call Sean, from Citizens Advice in the Community, on 07894 238 963, from 9.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays for a referral.

Alternatively, call Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Covid-19 helpline on 0300 123 7031, from 8am to 7pm, seven days a week.

How you can help

If you are able to support your local foodbank, please consider donating financially or by dropping off food.

Donations to Mid Cheshire Foodbank can be made at Asda, Tesco and Waitrose, in Northwich, or Sainsbury’s, in Hartford.

This week, the foodbank is short of desserts, fruit and pasta sauce.

Financial donations can also be made online at justgiving.com/midcheshirefoodbank

The Guardian would like to thank you for your continued generosity during the Feed our Foodbank campaign.