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Aberdeen 24 hour Gym Gear up to Charity Fitness Challenge to Raise Funds for a Paediatric Specialist Pain Nurse for The ARCHIE Foundation

To help celebrate The ARCHIE Foundation’s 10th anniversary, staff and members of Aberdeen’s first 24 hour gym, Pure Gym, will test their fitness by undertaking a variety of 24 hour long fundraising challenges to raise vital funds for the charity’s new paediatric specialist pain nurse. The 12-strong team at the Aberdeen based gym will be calling on city gym goers to sign up for the first of the charity challenges at today’s (Thursday 21st April) launch at The Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.

A 24-hour cycle covering 500 kilometres – almost the distance from Aberdeen to Heathrow, - takes place on June 24 at Pure Gym on Shiprow. Staff and members will take their turn riding 1 hour stints on static bikes in a bid to raise more than £5,000 for The ARCHIE Foundation, the official charity of The Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and community-based child health throughout Grampian, Highlands, Orkney and Shetland.

The money raised for The ARCHIE Foundation will be used to help fund their new specialist pain nurse, Jacqui Tahari. Jacqui’s primary role at The Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital is to help children suffering from chronic pain.

Jacqui commented, "Whilst undergoing treatment, some children experience painful procedures. They often describe this as the most distressing aspect of their hospitalisation. My role is to provide a service that will improve the management of pain in children within Combined Child Health. A pivotal part of the job includes facilitating, supporting, educating and developing staff caring for children and their families."

Cassie Thompson, fundraising manager for The ARCHIE Foundation said, “ARCHIE is always hugely grateful to Aberdeen businesses that raise funds for much needed specialist staff such as Jacqui. We need to raise £50,000 in 2011 in order to fund this post and all the associated costs involved, from training to transport, and we have committed to fund this crucial post for at least three years. The money raised by Pure Gym this year will be a huge help in helping us to achieve our target.

“The year long partnership between ARCHIE and Pure Gym is a great opportunity to promote fitness, raise awareness of our work and raise funds. Staff from Pure Gym will also be providing support at several of our forthcoming events, including the ARCHIE Foundation Lochnagar Challenge, taking place on Saturday 28th May, 2011, where they’ll be holding warm up and cool down sessions to make sure the participants are ready to take on the mountain and don’t suffer unnecessary aches and pains as a result.”

Richard Annetts, club manager of Pure Gym comments, “The ARCHIE Foundation makes a real difference to children in the North East of Scotland and the Islands who need medical care. It’s a privilege to be able to support them by raising money and also by giving our time and expertise to help with some of their events. If anyone wants to sign up or pledge their support through sponsorship please get in touch with Pure Gym by calling 07921 214280”

Other 24 hour themed events being undertaken by Pure Gym include a marathon aerobic session which will be held later this summer.

Pure Gym, Aberdeen’s first 24 hour gym is situated at Shiprow, AB11 5BW. For more information on joining Pure Gym visit www.puregym.co.uk .