Roller derby skaters prepare for charity challenge

Roller derby skaters are "training hard" for a 12km (7 mile) pier-to-pier challenge.

The Sunderland Roller Derby have organised a charity distance skate from South Shields Pier to Roker Pier on Sunday 25 August.

Half of the money raised will be given to the Motor Neurone Disease Association in the Tyne and Wear area, while the rest will go back to the team to help them build up to a point where they can take part in the national championship.

Co-captain Helen Lee said the route, which is "mostly uphill", would be a "test of our endurance, grit and determination" and said other roller derby teams from the region had agreed to take part and help raise funds too.

"We've been training hard and a few of us have done a test run of the route and while there are some challenging spots, we're confident that will still have a lot of fun on the day," Ms Lee said.

The fundraising challenge is open for public participation.

Organisers said more than 30 people had already signed up to take part, including skating groups from Teesside and Carlisle.

The Sunderland Roller Derby League chose to raise money for people affected by motor neurone disease because a number of people in the group had been "directly affected" by it.

"It feels good to know that we're going to be able to give something back to them," Ms Lee said.

Fellow co-captain David Garrick said it was the first time they had attempted the route, and hoped to make it an annual event.

They had originally aimed to raise £250 but had to keep raising their goal as they hit each target.

Almost £1,000 has been raised so far.

"The response has been phenomenal," Mr Garrick said.

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