A large group of netballers completed the equivalent of over 35 Parish Walks to raise £3,800, to be split between two charities.

Some 135 players representing clubs across the island clocked up some 3,008 miles running and walking in their communities over a week.

The funds will be split equally between Victim Support and the Manx Solidarity Fund, a trust that has been set up to support the island’s community during the pandemic.

The fundraiser was the brainchild of Manx Ram and SMP Ballasalla player Rhian Evans.

She said she had been ’blown away’ both by the number of miles completed and the total raised.

Participants submitted their daily mileage each day and everyone taking part was asked to donate a minimum of £5.

Three players managed to complete the equivalent of more than the 85-mile Parish Walk route each.

And others lost toe nails and gained blisters in the process.

Rhi originally expected up to 10 players to sign up - and thought their aim would be to walk 85 miles, the length of the Parish Walk. But the challenge quickly gained the support of the netball community and it grew into seeing how many times they could walk the length of the Parish Walk in a week.

The largest donations were from Ballakermeen High School (£500) and JTC Trustees Isle of Man (£250).

Rhi thanked everyone who took part for their ’effort, enthusiasm, support and generosity’. She added: ’It’s been an absolute pleasure seeing the netball community come together to do something lovely for people in need, and smashing the physical aspect of it in the process.’

She also thanked fellow Ballasalla player and Manx Netball Association competitions secretary Hollie McGowan and her mum Deborah Evans, one of the Manx Rams team managers, for their help organising the fundraiser.

Victim Support Isle of Man is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year. For May, the charity launched a digital fundraising campaign to raise £2,100. It offers vital services to victims of crime.