ALTRINCHAM businesses went back to school - and raised more than £800 for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital The Back To School Challenge - dubbed 'the 12 times table in a gym' took place at Pure Gym Altrincham.

Twelve businesses and community groups in Altrincham took part in a gruelling triathlon on September 8, which incorporated a 2km row, a 5km cycle and a 5km Run Organiser Alex McCann of Altrincham HQ said: "It was like the real 12 times table - it got tougher the longer it went on "The idea behind the Back To School Challenge was really to stretch people's fitness limits at the same time as raising vital funds for the hospital "And I think it really did challenge during the running section of the challenge. That final 5k after your legs had been tired out from the row and the cycle really was tough. Every step was tough.

"All the team did really really well."

Alex added: "The Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and what they do is something everybody can relate to. Everybody either has a child or knows a friend or family with a child "When you talk about challenges - the kids in the hospital are facing them every day and they face it with such strength and determination.

"The Royal Manchester Children's Hospital treats more than 240,000 children every year and the NHS can only provide so much.

"I hope our fundraiser inspires others in the town to fundraise for the hospital as well."

Following the success of this challenge the organisers have decided to make it an annual event with the next Back To School Challenge pencilled in for September 2017 People can still donate via Justgiving https://www.justgiving.com/backtoschoolchallenge or text BTSC50 £10 to 70070.

The full list of entrants were: Altrincham BID - Katie Bland, Altrincham HQ - Alex McCann, Altrincham Town Centre Partnership - Angela Stone, the Cinnamon Club - Abi Richardson, GMP - Andy Kellett, IGR Electric - Peter Igreyni, Mchale & Co - Adam Horner, MLP - Fiona Davies, Randalls Jewellers - Martin Duff, Randalls Jewellers - Sonia Stanley, Timpsons - Gary Lyons, Pure Gym - Nik Mirkhadivi , Pure Gym - Chris Jones.