A fundraising fitness challenge is taking place in the Arndale Centre on February 4.

Beginning at 10am and finishing at 3pm, the CRY Fitness Challenge will be raising money for the Mayor's chosen charity - Cardiac Risk in the Young. 

Teams of local young people will be competing on fitness equipment to promote the importance of exercise and the need for research into Sudden Death Syndrome. 

Every week, eight apparently fit young people die from undiagnosed heart conditions. 

Jenny Cole, CRY south east county representative, said: "This will be a great opportunity for the youth of Eastbourne to compete and show off their physical fitness. 

"As well as raising funds for this charity, they will also raise awareness of potential cardiac conditions in young people." 

Three separate team challenges will take place for age categories: 14-16, 16-18 and 18-21. 

Teams of three will compete on the cycle, running and rowing machines.  One team member will compete on each piece of equipment for 10 minutes, each to register the greatest cumulative distance covered in 30 minutes. 

the participants will be encouraged to collect personal sponsorship pledges and in addition there will be a collection on the day for spectators to contribute. 

Organisations and companies will be invited to take a display stand. 

Benefits of exercise include improved muscle tone, joints and bones, improved circulation, better energy level, better sleep pattern, healthier weight, protection against heart disease, relief from stress, feeling and looking better, and most likely having fun whilst developing a social life. 

Younger people can enjoy bikes, scooters, inline skates, skiing, snowboarding and gymnastics-based competitions and games. 

Washing cars and windows, shovelling snow and horse manure, vacuuming the house and mowing the lawn all count as exercise and often have the benefit of being part of weekly chores, or additional chores that earn some money. 

Babysitting younger children and playing active games with them similarly use energy and is sometimes paid work. 

CRY was chosen as this year's Mayoral charity, not only because of its importance in raising awareness of this type of sudden death and providing support for grieving families, but also because a young Cavendish School student, Jeremy Cole, known to the Mayor, died suddenly in 1995 with no prior warning that anything was wrong. 

For more information, or to make a donation go to:

http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/Your_Council/The Mayor/charity.asp. 

Cheques will be gratefully received at the Mayor's Office, Town Hall.