Watch as loved ones take on 22-hour burpee challenge in memory of Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry

On May 22, 2017 South Shields sweethearts Chloe Rutherford, 17, and Liam Curry, 19, were among the 22 victims who lost their lives when a suicide bomber targeted the Ariana Grande concert they were attending.

Every year on the anniversary of the tragic event, South Tyneside turns pink and blue in honour of the couple and to raise funds for the Together Forever Trust, set up in their memory.

This year Chloe’s dad, Mark Rutherford and brother Scott, are among the 84 members of Black Sheep Fitness Academy taking part in the 22-hour burpee challenge, along with Liam’s brother Zack Curry.

From 3pm on Thursday, May 21 to 1pm on Friday 22, in teams of four, the fitness fanatics were completing 22 hours of continuous burpees - with each hour dedicated to one of the 22 victims.

The fitness club, which is run by friends of Chloe and Liam’s families, hosts an annual fundraiser in their memory.

But this year participants will be taking on their burpees from their front rooms and communicating with each other through Zoom.

It has already raised almost £2,000 for the trust, which supports young people to follow their dreams in performance and sport.

Co-owner of Black Sheep fitness, Eilish Tiffin commented: “It’s a charity very close to our hearts, with knowing the families and having them as our members.

“At Black Sheep we are a big community. We’re stronger together and that’s the slogan that we have been using throughout lockdown as well.”

But she added: “It’s quite a challenge – it’s hard to do burpees for any more than five minutes.”

The Rutherford family will be taking part between 10pm-11pm on Thursday.

Everyone is encouraged to decorate their homes and turn social media pink and blue on Friday, and to join them in raising a glass to the couple at 10.31pm.

The burpee challenge is being live streamed on the Black Sheep Fitness Academy Facebook page.

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