A YOUNG athlete has broken a world record while completing a mammoth fundraising challenge.

Ellie Horrocks smashed the Guinness world record for the most chest-to-floor burpees in 24 hours, all in support of Blood Cancer UK.

The 19-year-old took on the major task at the 606 Strength & Conditioning gym in Wharfedale Road, Bradford, last month. 

She completed a remarkable 8,321 burpees - beating the last world record of 8,116 burpees - and raised more than £10,500 for the charity.

Ellie said: "The record attempt was truly brutal but so amazing. 

"The amount of support I had throughout the night and at the end was breath-taking. 

"I never thought I was going to quit but I was definitely worried I wouldn't break the record, which has now been confirmed by Guinness."

The inspiration behind Ellie's extraordinary challenge was deeply personal.

Ellie, of Brighouse, said before the challenge: "I chose Blood Cancer UK because my grandad Tony was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin's lymphoma in April 2022.

"After many months of treatment and staying in hospital over Christmas for nearly a month, he is now getting better and in remission.

"Seeing the effects this awful disease had on my grandad and the effects it had on my family and friends, I want to raise money for Blood Cancer UK to help transform treatments to keep families together."

Ellie's fundraiser - which coincided with World Health Day - was aptly named Burpees for Blood.

She said: "I want to prove to everyone young and old that you can do anything if you put your mind to it."

Her athletic prowess is well-established, with achievements including completing the Ironman 70.3 in Lanzarote and running a marathon in an impressive three hours and 37 minutes.

A Blood Cancer UK spokesperson thanked its fundraisers, including Ellie. 

They added: "We're a community dedicated to beating blood cancer.

"We do this by funding research and supporting those affected.

"Since 1960, we've invested more than £500million in blood cancer research, transforming treatments and saving lives.

"Right now, our community is funding 360 researchers and staff across the UK who are searching for the next breakthrough.

"The day we will beat blood cancer is now in sight and the researchers are determined to finish the job."

Blood cancer is a type of cancer which affects people's blood cells.

Leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma are some of the most common types of blood cancer.

For more information, visit https://www.bloodcancer.org.uk