National gym operator Xercise4Less will kick off a month-long partnership with blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan beginning with an open weekend at all of its 47 clubs to coincide with World Cancer Day on Saturday (4 February).

Visitors will be invited to buy a wristband or make a donation to the charity in exchange for a free guest pass. Throughout February, Xercise4Less will also be donating £1 to the charity for every new member that joins the gym.

Anthony Nolan works to save the lives of people with blood cancer through its donor register, which matches individuals willing to donate their bone marrow or blood stem cells to people who need vital transplants.

The charity also conducts research into stem cell matching and transplants, to ensure those in need receive treatment.

As part of the fundraising initiative, ‘Challenge Mondays’ will be taking place throughout February from 5-8pm. Members who donate £1 will be in with the chance of winning a three-month club membership.

Simon Tutt, Xercise4Less chief executive officer, said: “Anthony Nolan does fantastic work and it is a pleasure to be partnering with them. This cause is close to our hearts with members of the Xercise4Less team directly affected by blood cancer. We hope to see as many gym members, and non-members within the community, becoming involved as possible to raise much needed funds and awareness for this worthy cause.”

Heather Addicott, corporate partnerships coordinator at Anthony Nolan, added: “It’s fantastic that Xercise4Less has chosen to partner with us. The funds raised will go a long way to helping us provide vital stem cell and bone marrow transplants to those desperately in need.

“Every twenty minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer in the UK, and we hope this partnership will raise awareness of the disease, and how everyday people can help sufferers.”