MEMBERS of the University of Reading's Pole Fitness Society (RUPFS) have raised hundreds of pounds for a Reading based mental health charity.

The RUPFS held a charity event last month where the society's members demonstrated pole fitness and gave non-members and parents an opportunity to try it for themselves.

The event raised £868.28 for No5, a mental health charity which focuses on providing counselling, outreach, and preventative mental health services to young people aged 11-25 years, their parents/carers who live, work or study in the RG postcode.

READ ALSO: Reading mental health charity, No5, to benefit from Co-op Local Community Fund.

Jasmine Donaldson, President of RUPFS said: “We chose to support No5 Young People through our charity event as mental health is a very important and current issue.

"Their values sit close to our own, with many members suffering with mental health issues and using similar services on the university campus.

"Free counselling and help is rare, making this an amazing charity to support.

"I’m quite overwhelmed to think we raised £868.28 towards free counselling at No5."

The society hopes to raise more than £1000 for No5 through various events.

In addition to the pole fitness experience and JustGiving donations, the members contacted local businesses and shops for raffle prizes.

READ ALSO: MAS Kuchen donates kitchen to raffle supporting Reading mental health charity, No5.

Carly Newman from No5 added: “It’s amazing that this group of young people have organised this event and contacted so many local businesses because they want to support other young people who will benefit from counselling.

"It’s a staggering amount for one event which demonstrates the hard work and commitment from the society, thank you so much RUPFS.”

Jasmine went on to explain “pole fitness is a great form of exercise which improves your strength, flexibility, balance, and co-ordination".

RUPFS would like to thank the following organisations and businesses who donated raffle prizes: Aerial Attire, Cereal Works, BananaShoes, Body Shop, Brooke Ashlee, But Is It Art?, Calendar Club, Clas Ohlson, Creatures of XIX, Dragonfly Brand, Eclectic Games, Entourage Project, Home Fragrance Store, Juicee Peach, Luna Pole Wear, Lush, Marks and Spencer, Maya’s Refillables, Nadine Lloyd, Nibsy’s, Orchid Therapeutics, RAD Pole Wear, Radiant Chaos, Reading Pole Arts, Reading University Students Union, Sewsteff, Snappy Snaps Reading, Spin City, Sylwia Misarko, Waterstones Reading, Wink Designs, and X-Pole.