A GYM in Bridgwater hosted a 24-hour charity run to raise money in memory of locals Bethany Branson and Zach Peek last weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday (February 24 and 25), dozens laced up their running shoes to run a marathon over 24 hours.

The event, organised by Watergate Studios gym in Bridgwater, raised money for Zach Peek’s charity fund and St Giles Animal Welfare in memory of Bethany Branson.

Those in attendance ran one mile per hour over a 24-hour period, with the final run at an increased distance of 3.2 miles to take the total up to 26.2 miles.Bridgwater Mercury: Runners turned up in numbers to run in memory of the two beloved locals.Runners turned up in numbers to run in memory of the two beloved locals. (Image: Amy Branson)

Bethany's mum, Amy, said: "It has been an unbelievable 24 hours.

"We have had people push through sweat and tears and pain to run as much of the full marathon over the course of the 24 hours as possible.

"Dozens of people stayed for the whole 24 hours with no sleep and pushing through the pain.

"Dozens of others came down during the day and following morning to support with bakes and donations and support and to run a mile or two too."

Donations to the fundraiser can still be made through the official JustGiving page.

St Giles Animal Rescue also attended the event, with a dog named 'Toast' - a name picked from a list of dog names Bethany had written that she planned to use later in her life, which was tragically cut short by a drunk driver in 2022.Bridgwater Mercury: The run has raised over £6,000 so far.The run has raised over £6,000 so far. (Image: Amy Branson)

Her mum added: "Bethany would have loved this - she was loud, so loud and so passionate and caring and to know she continues to make a difference and her legacy lives on is so important to us."

There is already over £5,000 in the JustGiving fund raised by the event, as well as several hundred in the donation bucket, and a further £1,100 raised by a dedicated fundraiser.

The total of over £6,000 will be split between the two charities in memoriam of the two beloved locals.

Greg Blenkinsop of Watergate Studios, said: "We wanted to chose an event that will be physically and mentally gruelling enough to hopefully allow us to raise as much money as possible"