Running club raises £2,400 in challenge

Lancing Eagles Running Club finished a 40-hour non-stop treadmill fundraiser in Lancing this week and said it had raised more than £2,400 for Ferring Country Centre. The Argus reported on June 3 that the event marked the club’s 40th anniversary and was held at Lancing Manor Leisure Centre. (theargus.co.uk) A total of 43 members took part and logged 432 miles across the challenge, according to the report. Ferring Country Centre, the beneficiary, says it is also marking its 40th anniversary in 2026 and supports adults with learning disabilities. ### Which club ran the challenge, and where did it happen? Lancing Eagles Running Club staged the fundraiser at Lancing Manor Leisure Centre, where members rotated through several treadmills for nearly two full days, The Argus reported. (theargus.co.uk) The club used the event to mark its own 40th year. The Argus said South Downs Leisure staff supported the event and allowed the club to use multiple treadmills throughout the challenge. The club also thanked overnight volunteers and supporters who helped runners through the two-day effort. ### How much did the runners raise, and who will get the money? (theargus.co.uk) The fundraiser had raised more than £2,400 when The Argus report was published. A JustGiving listing for the campaign showed Lancing Eagles had raised £2,598.54 from 94 supporters, indicating donations continued after the event. Ferring Country Centre said its 2026 “40 for 40” campaign invites schools and community groups to raise £40 or more as part of the charity’s anniversary year. (theargus.co.uk) The charity says it provides support for adults with learning disabilities and was established in 1986. ### What did 40 hours on treadmills look like in practice? The 40-hour challenge involved 43 runners covering a combined 432 miles, according to The Argus. (theargus.co.uk) The paper highlighted several individual efforts, including Liam, who ran a marathon in 3 hours 17 minutes and later returned to add another 5 kilometers. Keir completed the steepest-incline effort, gaining 1,345 meters of elevation — the equivalent of Ben Nevis, The Argus said. (theargus.co.uk) Steve finished a marathon by speed walking in exactly six hours, while Fran ran 4 kilometers in 30 minutes at 28 weeks pregnant. Alice recorded the longest distance by a female participant with 36 kilometers, the report said. (ferringcountrycentre.org) Judy, described by the paper as one of the club’s longest-serving members, completed a one-hour overnight shift and covered 5 kilometers at age 80. ### Why was Ferring Country Centre chosen? Ferring Country Centre says it offers day services and activities for adults with learning disabilities, including horticulture, farm work, riding therapy, cooking and woodwork. (theargus.co.uk) The Charity Commission entry for the organization describes it as a charity delivering day opportunities in the local community and at its country centre site. The Argus reported that one of the event’s most notable moments came when Ferring staff and service users arrived at the gym to cheer on participants. (theargus.co.uk) The visit, the paper said, lifted the atmosphere during the challenge. ### Can people still donate after the run ended? (theargus.co.uk) The Argus said donations could still be made on the club’s JustGiving page after the treadmill challenge ended. The charity’s JustGiving profile also lists the Lancing Eagles fundraiser among its active or recent campaigns. Ferring Country Centre’s anniversary calendar includes an open day in August and a July 25, 2026 event called Ferring PHAB Fest, according to the charity’s website. (vodg.org.uk) Those events are part of the same 40th-anniversary year that the running club used as the theme for its 40-hour challenge. (ferringcountrycentre.org) (theargus.co.uk)