MEMBERS of a Gateshead running club are the latest to back our fitness campaign in their bid to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Eleven members of the Saltwell Harriers are preparing to undertake a mammoth cross-country cycle ride of more than 1,000 miles in aid of five leading organisations.

The runners, who will be joined by six of their friends, have pledged support to The Journal and Nova International’s Great North Fitness Revolution, as they prepare to undertake the gruelling sponsored bike ride.

Our campaign aims to tackle the shocking rise in obesity statistics currently ranking the region as the second fattest in Europe.

So far they have collectively raised £2,000 through smaller fundraising events for their chosen beneficiaries, which are Cancer Research UK, the Alzheimer’s Society, St Oswald’s Hospice, Help for Heroes and the Army Benevolent Fund.

Other charities the group is raising money for are the 1st Washington Scout Group and the Lawrence Group, which aims to provide education and clean water to a community in Miru, Kenya, in Africa.

Vicky Cuthbertson, of Bensham, in Gateshead, is among the group currently training to take on the famous Land’s End to John O’ Groats route, in reverse.

The 36-year-old, who works as a strategy manager for 1NG, said: “The North East has high levels of heart disease, diabetes and obesity, especially in children, so I think the campaign is really good in terms of encouraging people to try to improve their health.