A GYM in Aberystwyth has handed over more than £1,700 to two charities raised from an event last month to celebrate its first birthday in business.

Jason Spencer of Primal Fitness gave cheques to Mitochondrial Research and Uned Pili Pala at Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos, Penparcau, following a 24-hour event over Friday and Saturday, 13 and 14 April.

Events included a 24-hour ‘cardiothon’, with members and non-members paying £5 to take half hour slots round the clock on either the rowing machine, runner or bike for a whole 24 hours.

Proceeds from the gym’s regular classes over that weekend went to charity, with a special event on the Saturday featuring a barbecue, music, the local choir Sgarmes, local business and craft stalls, in-house mini competitions, local barbers offering trims and a raffle.

The events raised £1,722 pounds and Jason said he was “very proud” of what was achieved.

“It was a great day and we had fantastic support,” he said.

The events benefitted the Newcastle University Mitochondrial Research Fund, which is leading research in the battle against the progressive mitochondrial disease which affects around one in 5,000 people, and the Uned Pili Pala at Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos in Penparcau.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition on Wednesday