A man who inspired a ‘impromptu’ five-day fundraiser at his local gym to raise funds for UNICEF has raised more than £1,200 - with donations still being counted.
David Goard, 73, of Haydon Bridge, inspired his fellow gym members and gym workers at Wentworth Leisure Centre in Hexham to raise money after seeing a news programme about the Afghanistan Crisis Appeal.
Mr Goard said: “When I was watching the programme I saw kids and adults suffering and in hunger.
“I thought there is nothing I could do sitting here on the couch but then I said no actually there is.
“I then thought what I could do and thought that since I go to the gym four times a week it would be easy to do some fundraising challenges there.
“Wentworth were quite eager to help so we arranged what we could do.”
The fundraiser saw 13 members doing a challenge each day.
Nothing could stop the team taking part, not even the weather – as they just adjusted to the situation and adapted.
David said: “We had to adjust some of the events because of bad weather but the five days went incredibly well.
“We raised more than £1200 - which was way beyond my expectation. Odds and sods are still coming in so I can't give the absolute final figure yet.”
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