Turf Moor team aiming to be top of fitness league

The team, who are being put through their paces by fitness guru Jamie Kennedy, are hoping to raise £10,000 for Pendleside Hospice in memory of Worsthorne woman Gail Simpson.

Gail, the wife of local journalist Alan Simpson, died aged 61 at her home in Smithyfield Avenue, Worsthorne, at the end of last year.

Burnley Football Club’s commercial director Anthony Fairclough said: “Gail’s family want to raise £10,000 and we have set our own challenge of raising the same amount.

“It is going to be a challenge on many levels because we are all bidding to get fit and lose weight in the five months leading up to the race. I personally want to lose three stones. Our matchday host Jeff Brown was an inspiration when he lost weight for the Pennine 10k run two years ago.”

Jamie Kennedy, of the Fitness Experience in Burnley, is providing the team with nutritional and fitness advice, and will be doing regular metabolic rate and body fat analysis tests.

Anthony (38) added: “There’s no hiding place with Jamie, and he’s also thrown in an extra challenge because the total amount of fat lost over the five months will be shared out and carried among us in weight bags on the day.”

Anthony, who has already lost 7lb., will be joined by colleagues Darren Bentley, Jez Minihan, Carl Sanderson, Nick Taylor, Chloe Simpson and Dale Robbins-Bailey.

Darren, the club’s chief press officer, said: “I travel less than seven miles to work in my car so this will be a challenge, but with the help of Jamie I’m sure we’ll do it.”

The Pennine 10K takes place on June 28th. To sponsor the team call 01282 700007.

• Don’t miss Jamie Kennedy’s health and fitness column every week in your Tuesday Burnley Express.