Exercise challenge raises more than £4,600 for Molly’s Gift coffers
AN EXERCISE challenge created by Molly’s Gift to encourage the community to get active in 2021 has been hailed a fantastic success.
The trust was created in August 2019 in memory of Loughborough Foxes footballer Molly Webb, who died from sepsis at the age of 25 in January 2019.
Its founders, Molly’s partner Emily Sharpe and Molly’s close friend Leandra Whelband, launched ‘Molly’s 6 (hundred) minute challenge’ and hoped to raise £600 for the trust’s coffers.
People were challenge to complete 600 minutes of activity during the month long event and it surpassed everyone’s expectations with more than 150 participants who raised £4,600 in the process.
Emily said: “The challenge was a huge success and we had so much fun. Lea and I set challenges each week with an aim to keep the group motivated and inspired and the joy of the challenge spread far and wide and the pot grew to over £4,600
“We had so much support from others too, we had fitness instructors putting on weekly group classes (HIIT, Zumba, clubbersise) and participants setting up their own challenges within the group to raise even more money.
“The challenge really bought the group together and we set up a private chat page for everyone to support one and other.
“This challenge bought so much joy, positivity and togetherness it was honestly so heart-warming. I feel so encouraged and inspired by the amazing people who took part in the challenge and I am proud to have been a part of it. Molly would have loved this challenge and she would be so proud of everyone’s achievements.
“The money we have raised will no doubt support so many disadvantaged children in the future and we are so grateful for everyone’s continued support to keep Molly’s promise to “help everyone to smile”
And the sentiments were echoed by Leandra Whelband: “When myself and Em went on a walk and talk on New Year’s Eve we discussed our challenge and never anticipated on it getting the response it did.
“It’s been absolutely amazing, and so overwhelming. We have raised so much awareness of being active, encouraging positive mental health, which is so important right now and we’ve also raised an outstanding amount of money which will go along way to help children and young people in sport and physical activity this year.
“Molly has left such a beautiful legacy and I’m so proud we’re able to do this for her, and so thankful to everyone who supports us to achieve amazing things.”