Marathon fundraising effort for Peterborough hospital's neonatal intensive care ward

Two members of the team from Elevate Fitness Studio in Peterborough are aiming to raise £2000 for the NICU ward.

Darren Fox and Josh Lilley will be undertaking a challenge to complete 100km each on the Concept2 SkiErg. To put that into context, a usual session would usually be anything up to 15km and the most either of them has ever done is 50km in one session.

The challenge will take place on 19 th December with the pair aiming to complete 100km within nine hours.

Darren said: "All three of my sons were born prematurely, and all spent two to three weeks on the NICU ward at Peterborough hospital, so this is a cause that’s very close to my heart.

“My wife Isabel and I are extremely grateful for the care and support that both our sons and we as parents received. I promised myself that I would show our gratitude by doing a fundraiser for the unit”.

The NICU or neonatal intensive care unit at Peterborough hospital provides extra care for babies who are born too early, too small, sick or require further monitoring. The unit cares for up to twenty-two babies at a time and has a range of facilities to make the time parents spend on the unit a little easier.

The team will be completing their challenge using a SkiErg which provides a full-body workout with all the benefits of Nordic skiing. The SkiErg is just one of the many pieces of equipment at the Elevate studio and is designed to build strength and endurance by working the whole body.

Josh said: "I’m used to a variety of training and stamina tests through my role at Elevate and like pushing myself. Even so, it’s going to be a real test of endurance, both mentally and physically.

“We’ve been training hard, and it will be worth it for this fantastic cause”.

Darren and Josh are both Trainers at Elevate Fitness Studio in Peterborough which offers a range of fitness and wellness classes. Throughout the second lockdown, the team have been offering online classes and are now welcoming people back to the studio. They will be continuing to run daily classes and Personal training sessions while encouraging everyone to get behind their challenge and sponsor them.

To support Darren and Josh visit the Just Giving fundraising page here:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nicudarrenfox-2?utm_term=WArpvgVp9