A team of kind hearted fitness fanatics from a Sheffield gym have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a local children’s charity.

Eight energetic members of staff from The Valley Health and Fitness donned their running shoes to collect £1,300 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity by completing the 2007 Great Yorkshire Run.

They have now sprinted straight into action for their next Children’s Hospital fundraising challenge by signing up for Theo’s 10k race.

The race, sponsored by Dransfield Properties Ltd, will take place in Graves Park, Sheffield, on Sunday 20 April 2008. There will also be a 2k family fun run.

Dawn Spink, Health and Fitness Manager at The Valley, which is based at the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield (EISS), said: “We were really pleased to collect such a substantial amount of money by completing the Great Yorkshire Run. Our performance in the race placed us third in the team competition and we are hoping to build on this at Theo’s 10k race.

“Sheffield Children’s Hospital is such a special place. The staff do a wonderful job caring for youngsters across the region and we are delighted to be supporting them once again.”

Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity fundraiser, Fran Hunt, was invited down to the EISS to thank the staff who took part in the 10k run and to formally receive the money.

Fran said: “The Valley team have done fantastically well to collect £1,300 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity and we are really pleased they have pledged to support us once again by taking part in Theo’s 10k race.

“Last year the event attracted over 1,500 entries and raised £70,000 for the charity. With the generous support of The Valley team we are confident of beating the total at this year’s race.”

Entry is £12 per person for the Theo’s 10k race and £4 per person for the Family Fun Run. The closing date for entries is 18 April 2008 or when the race reaches capacity.

For more information or to enter online visit www.theos10k.com or ring 0114 2717203 for a form to be posted out.

The first month’s sport and fitness membership at The Valley is free. For more information call 0114 253 5616 or ask at the EISS reception.