A TILLICOULTRY gym is in the middle of lifting 1,000,000kg in five days to raise money for another sports club.

uGym is taking on the task to raise money for the Dumfries and Galloway Wheelchair Track Athletics Club, who were recently targeted and had their equipment set on fire.

Jack Urquhart, one of uGym's directors, said: "It was my dad who came to me with what had happened and trying to help them.

"He started his career working with kids with disabilities so that's what struck home for him. It's all about the community for them and that's what we're trying to build here in Tilly so it stemmed from that."

Jack continued: "It's absolutely shocking that this has happened.

"It's pretty upsetting that something like this can happen to a small club."

The 10 people involved in the mammoth challenge will be lifting a collective 1,000,000kg in the space of five days.

Across the five days, 10 people will need to lift 100kg 1,000 times, working out at 100kg being lifted by each person 200 times per day.

Eric Urquhart, Jack's dad, has already been in touch with a coach from the Dumfries club and invited their athletes to attend uGym when restrictions are further eased.

Eric added: "We try and help everybody. The idea for the gym was a community gym, me and my wife are teachers and we love to see folk getting a chance.

"The biggest thing for me is giving everybody, regardless of their ability, a chance to be their best."

Jack is taking part with three other members of staff and six members are also contributing.

In the past, the gym have done two spinathon fundraisers, one for Alzheimer Scotland and one for Macmillan Cancer Support, and also done various challenges throughout the first lockdown to raise money for SAMH.

Jack added: "I'm confident that we'll hit the target quite comfortably."

Shelby Watson of Dumfries and Galloway Wheelchair Track Athletics Club said her belief in humanity was 'broken' at seeing her dreams destroyed.

She started a collection of disabled sporting equipment when she was 15 with her dad in the hope of starting a club for disabled people like herself.

Shelby said: "Whoever has done this has destroyed and in most cases damaged equipment beyond repair."

Anyone who would like to support uGym's effort can visit gofund.me/45d1416d to donate, adding your name and uGym in the description.