Liverpool weightlifters power a Christmas toy collection for Alder Hey kids

Liverpool weightlifters will be putting themselves through a series of super-tough challenges in a drive to collect toys for kids in Alder Hey over Christmas.

Members of Taylor’s Strength Training in the city centre will go through different power tests on the afternoon of December 20, the last Saturday before Christmas.

To take part in Strength for Kids: Christmas Lift-Off, or just to watch the lifters in competition, organisers are asking for donations of new, unwrapped toys and gifts.

They’ll then be delivered to Alder Hey in time to be given out around wards on the big day.

Gym owner Danny Taylor says they’re hoping to collect as many toys as possible while lifters tackle everything from deadlifts to bodyweight challenges, as well as a few specifically adapted for the festive season.

He explains:

“We usually do events throughout the year at the gym where people pay an entry fee, we host powerlifting competitions and Olympic weightlifting competitions. 

“We also do a Christmas-themed lift-off for members but in previous years it’s been an in-house community event, nothing bigger than that.

“This time we wanted to do something more and try and give back to conclude the year, so we decided to open up the gym, have a family-friendly afternoon and ask for donations of an unwrapped gift or toy for one of the kids instead of an entry fee.”

Everyone competing in the Strength for Kids: Christmas Lift-Off will have a variety of physical challenges to choose from, inspired by the different weights disciplines practised every day at the gym. 

“All of our coaches have their own speciality and they’re going to each put forward a challenge to members and anyone else who’d like to join in, even if they just want to have a go for fun.

“People do get super-competitive in pushing themselves, and we have got some who lift at very high levels, but mostly we’re the in-betweeners; just average Joes who want to get stronger, feel better and do some good in the community.”

He said:

Danny says there will be challenges involving men and women, and all levels. “Size doesn’t matter, it’s more about the skill. “Smaller lighter people who are at the top of their skill level are able to move with such proficiency.

“It’s going to be an event that’s accessible to everyone and as well as the regular weight exercises we’re planning to do some Christmas themed ones too.

“We already have a sled that you can push and pull so we’re going to decorate that as Santa’s sleigh, load it with weights and then test people on our 13-metre indoor track run.”

The Strength for Kids: Christmas Lift-Off will be at Taylor’s Strength Training independent gym on Old Haymarket, off Dale Street, on Saturday December 20 from around midday to about 2pm. If you want to go along to take part, or watch and support, don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy or gift for Alder Hey.

You can find out more here.

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