A group of travel agents from Stanley completed the equivalent of four marathons during February on an instore treadmill.

The team from Hays Travel in Stanley were inspired by a colleague’s grandson who had completed a marathon challenge in January to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.

Colin Burns, branch manager of Hays Travel Gateshead, is receiving treatment for prostate cancer and is set to embark on a course of hormone therapy and radiotherapy treatment this spring.

To show support for his grandad, ten-year-old George signed up to the ‘Run the Month’ fundraiser, running the length of a marathon throughout January.

Motivated by George, the Stanley Hays Travel team decided to run a marathon a week throughout February on an instore treadmill. The seven team members clocked up a total of 104.8 miles over the month, raising £300 for Prostate Cancer UK.

Hays Travel Stanley assistant manager, Laura Watson, said: “We chose this challenge as Colin, the branch manager from the Gateshead shop, is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

"His grandson, George, ran the equivalent of a marathon in January to raise money, so we thought we would help in branch to support him with this amazing cause.

“It went really well and we all took turns on the treadmill throughout the days – our customers donated in branch and every donation went into a prize draw to win a £100 Hays Travel voucher.”

Hays Travel is the UK’s largest independent travel agent, with branches across the UK – all committed to supporting their customers and the local communities they serve.

Each Hays Travel branch is provided with a £500 budget to use for fundraising and charity work in their local area; £200 of this is to be used to fundraise for charities which support young people’s mental health, and the other £300 can be used for charities chosen by the branch.

In the last year, Hays Travel’s Local Community Partnership initiative across its retail network has donated almost £170,000 to local charities.