Campaign to raise NHS funds through 5k run nears £500k

A fundraising campaign encouraging people to use their daily exercise allowance during isolation to run five kilometres in aid of the NHS has raised almost half a million pounds.

Olivia Strong from Edinburgh set up the Run for Heroes campaign two weeks ago and since then people from all over the world have taken part.

The social media campaign encourages people to use their daily outdoor exercise allowance to run, walk or cycle 5km whilst maintaining a safe distance from others.

Participants are asked to donate £5 via the Run For Heroes giving page and then spread the message even further by sharing a picture of themselves exercising on Instagram, tagging @Run.For.Heroes and nominating five of their friends to also take part and donate.

Since launching on March 28, the initiative has generated almost £500k, with donations continuing to flood in.

All proceeds will be donated to NHS Charities Together, to support frontline workers.

More than 50,000 people from across the globe have taken part so far including footballer John Terry, cricketer Johnny Bairstow, radio and TV presenter Chris Moyles and Olympic athlete Lynsey Sharp.

The campaign is also being developed to showcase at-home workout options for those preferring to exercise indoors.

The campaign has been a global success I would say,” Olivia told STV News.

“It’s gone from Sydney to Tokyo to the Cayman Islands, we’ve had people in Dubai running in their car parks because they can’t run outside.

“It’s really lovely to see everybody from the community worldwide coming together to support the NHS workers.”