Washington fitness fanatic raises hundreds for front-line carers with burpees challenge

A Washington fitness fanatic has been feeling the burn while raising money for frontline carers by doing a unique challenge, promising to do one burpee for every £1 he raised, with over £500 donated.
John Leach during his challengeJohn Leach during his challenge
John Leach during his challenge

After raising £500, John Leach, 37, followed through with his promise and live streamed himself doing 500 straight burpees to pay thanks to those who donated and support frontline carers working without PPE.

The idea came about after John, a father of two, had been doing Joe Wicks PE lessons with his children, and wanted to use his love for fitness to support key workers during a difficult time.

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After setting up a Just Giving page, John quickly found himself in shock at how much money was donated and how many burpees he would have to do.

John Leach set himself the challenge of doing one burpee for every pound he raisedJohn Leach set himself the challenge of doing one burpee for every pound he raised
John Leach set himself the challenge of doing one burpee for every pound he raised

He said: “I set up a just giving page for donations, and to add a twist I decided to do one burpee for every pound raised. I felt this would get a few extra pounds as people could have a laugh watching me trying to complete these. I love fitness, it’s my favourite part of the day but no way did I think I’d be completing 500 hundred burpees!

I began my challenge, hit around seventy and thought what have I done! My body was aching and my head was going to explode but there was no way I was stopping. The support on the day was great, lots of laughs on the live feed.”

John quickly felt the physical toll of the challenge but was delighted he completed it and was able to support frontline workers in his own way.

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John was also happy to see the response of the community coming together in trying times, he added:

“It’s so important we all work together. The work in communities is what will see us through all this, it’s restored a real sense of pride in where I’m from. We see ourselves as individuals having our own struggles but for once were all in this fight together, and to beat this we need to work together.”

Since completing the challenge, even more money has been raised, taking the total to £760.

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