Ashby Netball Club's 75-hour charity marathon got underway on Thursday - with a target of raising £50,000 passed just a day into the event.

Over 260 players have been lined up to play their part in the four-day epic which is in aid of Kids' Village - which helps seriously ill children and their families have some important life-enhancing respite. 

The club started with a target of £30,000 - but when the marathon began, the total raised was close to £46,000. Today (Friday) it went past £50,000.

Ashby Ivanhoe School's Sports Hall is the venue for the marathon - which also hopes to see the players break a few world records along the way.

People can come and watch what is happening from 8am until 10pm - and the marathon ends at 1pm on Sunday.

Carla Garey, of Ashby Netball Club, explained how the organisation of such an event fell into place.

She told Ashby Nub News: "We had 261 people sign up to take part - with games divided into three hour slots.

"But some have played two sessions in a row and others have signed up to play through the night.

"It's continuous netball for 75 hours. We've been doing the rotas for weeks, but we also have scorers, officials, timekeepers and people who are recording the data to make sure everything's done properly.

"But we are constantly receiving donations and it's great that we've passed the £50,000 mark."

There is a YouTube link to the marathon which can be seen HERE.

And you can make a donation to the charity fundraiser HERE.

Carla Garey of Ashby Netball Club (left) and Kristi Williams from Fisher German

A number of companies have also signed up to be part of the marathon as well.

Kirsti Williams, from Fisher German in Ashby, explained that there had been a good response from businesses.

She said: "From our company, we've had people coming up here from Worcester and Banbury.

"Other netball clubs have supported this as well because it's such a great community.

"It's a great achievement for everyone to be a part of this and help break a few records along the way as well as raise some funds for a great cause.

"To see how tightly run this is incredible - it's a feat of engineering, there's not a minute out.

"Especially when you consider how many people are involved, it's taken months of organisation to get to this stage.

"But it's all good fun, and a chance to do a bit of networking."

The event will raise money for the Kids' Village charity

Teams have been taking part from Birmingham and Sheffield, and the event has also attracted a number of men as well as women.

Kirsti added: "It's mixed gender and there are quite a few men who signed up to play in the marathon."