A Kempston gym community has been raising much-needed cash for the SMART Prebend Street centre which helps homeless people.
Kempston’s HG/FIT and their supporters have been walking and running two kilometres every hour, on the hour for 24 hours.
“We wanted to create a motivational challenge our members could take part in or support and decided to fundraise for a great local cause,” said James Saunders, owner at HG/FIT.
“We chose SMART as the charity because the pandemic has impacted everyone, but it must be especially hard for homeless people who were deprived of their place to go when the Prebend Centre was forced to close due to Covid-19.”
The team initially set a target of £250 and only expected around10 members to take up the challenge.
But 100 members, friends and family soon joined in and raised £3276. Which James said show the “strength of the community”.
“We have had to close the gym a number of times during the pandemic which has been very difficult for the members,” added James.
“Each time we close it is harder to keep our members motivated, even though we run Zoom classes online.”
This fundraiser was designed to “provide a physical and mental challenge for its members, whilst at the same time raise as much money for the homeless day centre as possible,” he said.
Covid-19 hits charity hard
The SMART Prebend Centre is currently unable to operate as a homeless day centre due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Meanwhile, SMART CJS is temporarily running its homeless services from a hotel location and all donations made will be used to support people experiencing homelessness in Bedford.
In particular supporting guests at the hotel with food, toiletries and access to health, housing, welfare, and benefits services.
Jen Robus, SMART CJS’s Area Manager added, “We are so incredibly grateful to everyone at HG/FIT.
“Monies will also be used to assist people who have made positive changes in their lives and need help with making the transition to new, stable accommodation.”
You can find out more about SMART CJS smartcjs.org.uk.
