Gym-members have raised more than £1,5000 to support NHS staff during the pandemic

Members of DMF: Evolve in Chandlers Ford completed a 'MEPs challenge' during May, raising a total of £1640 for Southampton Hospitals Charity.

Dan Mitchell, owner of DMF: Evolve, decided to fundraise for the hospital charity because a lot of people using the gym work for the NHS and have worked throughout the pandemic.

Dan said: "We've seen first-hand how tirelessly our members who are NHS staff, work to care for others.

"We all wanted to do something to give back to them, and their NHS colleagues, during this challenging time."

During the challenge, members had to earn as many MEPs points as they could through physical exercise using a programme called MyZone that monitors how hard they are working.

This system gives MyZone Effort Points (MEPs) after every workout and the aim was to earn as many MEPs as possible during the month of May.

"The challenge was really hard especially as we didn’t have a gym to train in during lockdown, but it wasn’t nearly as hard as what our NHS staff have had to face day in day out.

"We are really pleased and proud to raise this money that will go some way in helping support their wellbeing while they look after others.”

The Southampton Hospitals Charity Coronavirus Response Appeal is raising funds to go towards supporting hospital staff by providing wellbeing rooms, extra psychological support and iPads for staff and patients to communicate with loved ones.

Judith Stephens, community and events officer said: "We are thrilled that DMF: Evolve are supporting our NHS heroes through the pandemic.

"This money will go a long way to support our frontline and essential workers and allow Southampton Hospitals Charity to be reactive to their needs through these unprecedented times."