Southwell and District Lions Club are heading to the coast for Brain Tumour Research fundraiser

Members of the Southwell and District Lions Club have embarked on a virtual coastal fundraising challenge.

They are aiming to complete the 6,500-mile effort on April 17 ­­— a month ahead of schedule.

The majority of the money raised through the challenge will be donated to Brain Tumour Research.

The group usually raises money through its annual Santa’s sleigh, but with that curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic, members were forced to look elsewhere for their exercise and fundraising.

The coastal walk started virtually in Skegness on February 14 and aimed to walk round the coast of Britain.

Originally, the group was aiming to finish it by the middle of May.

Ian Robinson, club secretary, said: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet only 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this area.

“Southwell Lions decided to take on a virtual coastal challenge to raise awareness and funds for Brain Tumour Research, while encouraging club members to get out walking more, even on days when the normal temptation would have been to stay indoors.”

The club plans to mark the completion of the challenge with some of the participants walking back through Southwell, assembling on the Burgage for a final, socially- distanced, photo shoot.

It is hoped that the fundraiser will raise £5,480, which would cover two days of research at one of the charity’s brain tumour research centres.

The Lions will donate 75% of all donations to the Brain Tumour Research.

The remainder will go into the Southwell Lions charity account, which is used to help good causes in the local community.

Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/camp aign/braintumourtrust.