ST Margaret’s Hospice has launched a flexible fitness challenge for February – a virtual marathon.

People are being encouraged to run or walk 26 miles, whenever and wherever they like, and record their progress using Strava, Fitbit or manually.

Money raised will go towards physiotherapy sessions to help patients with breathlessness management.

It is free to sign up and everyone who raises at least £26 in sponsorship will receive a St Margaret’s Virtual Marathon medal.

Sonia Bateman, events fundraiser at St Margaret’s Hospice, said the 26 miles could be walked or run in one go or broken down into manageable stages like a mile a day.

“We’ve teamed up with an online platform called GivePenny to make it easy to track miles and to raise sponsorship. Even those who don’t have a Fitbit or smartphone can still log their progress the old fashioned way.

“Feeling breathless can be frightening, making the things most of us take for granted too much to face. But with just one session, either in the hospice or in their own homes, our physiotherapists can start to turn this around.”

For more information and to sign up, go to the ‘virtual marathon’ link on the St Margaret’s Hospice website.