FITNESS fanatics are being encouraged to sign up for a fundraiser in aid of Annabelle’s Challenge.

Muay Thai instructor John Taylor, who runs classes from the Phoenix Gym in Bradley Fold and IJ’s Gym in the Constellation Mill, is urging people of all ages to join in a sponsored run next month.

The 50-year-old was inspired to organise the event after meeting Annabelle, the seven-year-old who the Bury-based charity is named after, and has had a fantastic response from gym members.

More than 50 adults and children have already signed up to raise money for the charity, which promotes awareness of Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS) – an incurable condition that puts Annabelle at daily risk of her internal organs and arteries spontaneously rupturing.

Mr Taylor, of Widcombe Drive, Bolton, said he was delighted to be helping out.

He said: “I met Annabelle recently and she came to the gym to hand out a few leaflets.

“So I decided that we should try and do our bit to help her charity.

“She is such a nice child and when I first met her I didn’t realise the seriousness of her condition.

“The adults will do a three-mile run and it will be one mile for the children. So far, we have had more than 50 people signing up to take part, including lots of children, which is a fantastic number.

“Everyone has been really keen to get involved.

“I have been giving the fliers out to people and telling them about Annabelle’s story. Fortunately, a lot of people have been really happy to help out.”

Mr Taylor, who has four children and two grandchildren, also works in conjunction with the I Will If You Will scheme to run fitness classes aimed specifically at women.

Jared Griffin, Annabelle’s dad, added: “We are so pleased that Johnny T’s and IJ’s Gym have chosen to support our charity with the sponsored run, this will help to raise awareness of Annabelle’s Challenge and vascular EDS within our local community.”

The event, in which participants can run or walk, will be held in Close Park at 2.30pm on Sunday, August 21.

To sign up to the campaign, please email johnnytsgym@ho

tmail.co.uk, call 07977 190 450, or pick up a form from either the Phoenix or IJ’s gyms.