In this episode of the Sapphire Running Zone podcast, host Tim Rogers speaks with fundraiser Emma Millard about an unconventional but highly effective approach to fundraising; gym-based challenges.

Emma, who works for Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind, shares her journey from support worker to fundraiser and explains how firsthand experience with service users shaped her passion for raising money.

She discusses two standout challenges:

• A 36-hour team gym event, where participants rotated through different activities every hour, raising around £1,000.
• A 12-hour solo Stairmaster challenge, enhanced with interactive donation incentives (like paying for breaks or controlling workout intensity), raising £700–£800 and directly supporting a child’s medical treatment.

Throughout the conversation, Emma highlights the unique advantages of gym fundraising: low cost, built-in audiences, and high engagement. She emphasises the importance of storytelling, social media (especially LinkedIn), and making supporters feel part of the journey.

The episode offers practical insights for fundraisers looking to move beyond traditional events and try something creative, accessible, and impactful.

f you’d like to join Emma and take on a fundraising event for Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind you can find out more here.

For more podcasts go to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have three channels, this one, one on event podcasts and one for members only. If you’d to be the focus of one just let us know using the chat function on the homepage.

Keywords

• Gym fundraising
• Charity challenges
• Mental health fundraising
• Endurance events
• Community engagement
• Storytelling in fundraising
• Social media strategy
• LinkedIn fundraising
• Interactive donations
• Fitness challenges
• Stairmaster challenge
• Team vs solo fundraising
• Event planning
• Fundraising tips