Fresh from their recent North West Regional title success, Foden's Band has started the process of raising the £20,000 it will cost to represent England at the 2020 European Championships in Palanga.

With the distance from Sandbach to the Lithuanian city being 1207 miles, they have taken it upon themselves to try and cover the distance (there and back) on foot — a grand total of 2414 miles between now and May 2020.

Starting off

Running shoes have been purchased and the challenge began in earnest when the band was recently in Armagh in Northern Ireland.

Mark Bousie, Ian Raisbeck and Robin Basu took part in the weekly Armagh Parkrun, with each completing the 5km (3.1 miles) distance in the time it takes to play a march, a solo and a test-piece!

Other band members have now got into training and will attempt other events — all the way up to the London marathon, which will be undertaken by Mike Warriner.

The players have already notched up an impressive 260 miles across 67 different runs.

The players have already notched up an impressive 260 miles across 67 different runs4BR

Feeling fitter

Mark Bousie told 4BR: "We are all enjoying it — and feeling fitter already. Each month our supporters can check to see how we are doing. We also hope that it will inspire others to do something and perhaps help support our goal."

Make a donation

To find out more and make a donation go to: https://www.fodensband.co.uk/euros