GYM members are narrowly ahead in the pecking order for a charity challenge supporting a hospice.

Knitting enthusiasts from Smooth Gym are busy creating hundreds of knitted chicks as part of a nationwide fundraiser, Knit a Chick, in aid of Francis House Children’s Hospice at Manchester.

The business has three gyms, including one at Winnington Park Recreation Club at Winnington, where members have so far knitted 290 chicks.

Each chick contains a Cadbury’s Cream Egg, donated by members, and the collection of chicks are sold by the hospice at £1 each to schools and businesses to raise money for the organisation.

The Smooth Gym took part in last year’s nationwide fundraiser, which raised £24,000 for the hospice, and is looking to beat its chicks total this year.

Smooth Gym has clubs at Winnington, Cheadle and Lytham, and caters for women, who use assisted machines.

“There is a friendly competition between the clubs as to who can knit the most chicks, and Northwich is currently in the lead, 20 ahead of Cheadle,” said Kelly Armstrong, area operations manager.

“We have an array of colours, including ones in Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and West Ham colours, and a French chick wearing a beret.

“Although everyone uses the same pattern the chicks are all individual, and with a few weeks still to go until the knitting deadline I’m going to be overrun with chicks.

“It’s a fun event, but it takes a lot of effort to knit this many chicks, with each one taking about an hour to make.

“Francis House is a really good cause, and everyone at the club is behind the Knit a Chick challenge.”

The majority of the Northwich chicks are being knitted by a group of 12 women, and Kelly will deliver the collection to the hospice.

The Northwich club is also looking to support the Multiple Sclerosis Society by staging a cake sale at its premises on March 31.

They were inspired to stage the fundraiser by a club member who has the condition, and non-members are welcome to come and buy cakes on the day.