Six women from a Johnstone gym walked almost two million steps between them last month to raise vital cash for Cancer Research UK.

Two coaches and four members at Venus Gym, in Floors Street, racked up 10,000 steps each every day in March as they aimed to hit their £1,500 fundraising target. 

They chose the cancer charity as many who attend the female-only fitness facility have been affected by the disease through the diagnosis of friends and family.

The group were also inspired by the plight of another member who recently fought and won her battle against breast cancer for a second time.

Louise Anderson, gym manager, told The Gazette: “Being an all women’s gym, we hear it a lot through our members about their friends and family being affected, their aunties, their grans.

“We have a member who has just been through chemotherapy, so it is a cause that is really quite close to us as coaches.

“We know that anything we can do to help fund research will make a difference.

“For some people, 10,000 steps might be okay but one member in particular set a goal of 5,000 steps a day so it was a massive challenge for her to double her activity, but she did it.

“Everyone completed their steps and managed it every single day. Loads of the members were donating and encouraging us, so it was a good way to bring everybody together, even though we completed the walks apart.”

All of those who took part live in the local area and Louise, from Kilbarchan, kept up her end of the challenge by walking her two dogs at Clyde Muirshiel Country Park.

She is now turning her attention to the gym’s reopening on April 26, with plans for more fundraising after restrictions ease, including potentially a ‘bring your man’ day to raise money for testicular cancer.

Louise added: “We can’t wait to open up again. We are allowed to do outdoor classes just now with 15 members, so it’s been so nice to see everybody.

“We are more than just a wee gym. Some of our members have lost their husband, they don’t have much family and they come here because we are their friends and family.

“It gets them out the house, so it will be so nice for them to chat to people and just get their exercise and feel good again, mentally, physically and emotionally.”