RUNNING, rowing and cycling were just some of the ways that active people across the town raised funds for Sport Relief.

Dozens of people from Thomas Cook, Wootton Bassett School, Dorcan Academy and Meadow Park School have taken part in the annual charity event this week, with even more fundraisers getting involved today.

Employees at Thomas Cook got in the saddle in the Brunel Centre to raise funds for the charity.

Branch manager Katie Goddard was part of a team of 13 employees who cycled the distance from Swindon the the Olympic Stadium in London on exercise bikes “We did 234km between us so we nearly cycled the distance back too,” she said.

“We have raised £298. I’m not very fit so it was exhausting. We all did an hour each on the bikes and kept swapping.

“We’re selling Olympic packages at Thomas Cook so it tied in nicely with that.

“People were stopping and saying it’s nice to see we have got an event in Swindon. They all gave money and created a buzz.”

Dorcan Academy raised funds by taking part in the Sport Relief Mile in fancy dress.

And about 1,000 Wootton Bassett School pupils raised money on Thursday by running in fancy dress too. Also raising funds for Sport Relief yesterday was an employee at local vehicle leasing and fleet management company, Arval, who pushed himself to the limit by rowing the width of the Channel.

Rod Follit, a relationship executive within Arval’s small business division, rowed 21 miles in the fitness room at the Arval Centre.

Rod said: “This was quite a daunting challenge but definitely one that I was motivated by and I Arval employees dug deep to raise lots of cash for Sport Relief.

“I have been rowing for two years and really enjoy it, so it’s a great way to combine a passion of mine with a great cause.”

Sainsbury’s staff in Royal Wootton Bassett have been raising funds by running, walking and jogging the 87-mile distance to Buckingham Palace on a treadmill in the store.

And the Nuffield Health Centre, at Greenbridge Retail Park, also held face painting and a cake sale in aid of Sport Relief.