Get you ready for the Hitchin Olympics!

This summer, a Hitchin-based youth charity working in local schools to support young people is hosting an exciting Olympics-based challenge that the whole community can get involved with.

While the athletes in Japan run, throw, cycle, swim and jump their way to glory, the people of Hitchin are called to take part as well - via the Hitchin Home Olympics.

Phase Hitchin - who deliver assemblies, workshops, support groups and short courses to support young people's emotional and mental wellbeing - are setting two challenges for everyone.

Speaking to Nub News, director Kieran Murphy, said, "It's been a difficult year, so we thought that Hitchin would enjoy having some fun as a community and raise funds to continue our amazing work.

"We've seen demand for support jump since schools returned to face to face learning.

"Loads of young people have done brilliantly during lockdown but are struggling to adjust and some are overwhelmed by what they've experienced.

"Phase is here to support them, teach them coping strategies to manage mental health and anxiety and find a way forward."

Phase sets two challenges for the Hitchin

1) The June Olympic Relay Torch Challenge

Phase wants to take the virtual torch all the way from Hitchin to Tokyo.

People are challenged to walk a mile (or maybe more!), register their steps and donate £1 towards the fundraising target of £10,000.

Every step contributes to the combined Hitchin goal of 5,953 miles or 25,798,099 steps.

2) The Olympics Challenge

This will take place between 2nd July-16th July and is an Olympic- themed challenge.

Set by individuals themselves, it could be a sponsored relay race, long jump, bike ride or gymnastics routine.

Or if sport is not top of the list, it could be a cultural challenge. The Phase team are going to challenge themselves to learn 50 words in Japanese, serve up homemade sushi, and try their hand at a mango comic!

There are loads of ideas for events on the Phase website here

"We would love the support of the wider Hitchin community in extending our offer so that we can reach more young people," added Phase's passionate director Kieran.