Belfast gym-goers asked to turn fitness into food for children worldwide
Gym members in Belfast are being encouraged to turn their workouts into something far more powerful than personal fitness, by helping to provide school meals to children in need across the globe.
A local health club in the city has joined Technogym’s Let’s Move & Donate Food campaign, a worldwide initiative that aims to generate one million school meals through exercise.
Bannatyne Health Club Belfast, which is located at Mertoun Hall, is taking part in the 2026 Let’s Move for a Better World campaign, described as the largest social movement in the fitness industry. This year’s drive is being delivered in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme.
The campaign works through a straightforward system. Every time members use connected Technogym equipment, they generate digital points known as MOVEs. For every 2,000 MOVEs collected, one school meal is donated to a child who depends on that support.
Stephen Haughey, general manager at the Belfast club, said the initiative allows members to make a difference simply by continuing their regular routines.
“We are incredibly proud to be supporting Technogym in this year’s Let’s Move & Donate Food campaign,” he said. “As a club, we are always looking for ways to make a positive difference, not just to our members’ health and wellbeing, but to the wider community too.”
He said it was inspiring to see how everyday activity can have international impact. “Every workout completed by our members will help contribute towards providing vital school meals to children who need them most. It’s inspiring to know that something as simple as a gym session can have such a meaningful global impact.”
While many fitness campaigns focus on competition, Stephen stressed that this year’s emphasis is on shared responsibility.
“This challenge is less about competition and more about impact and purpose,” he added. “Let’s all come together, get moving and make a real difference to children who are in need. Every MOVE truly counts.”
Duncan Bannatyne, chairman and chief executive of the Bannatyne Group, said he expected strong backing from members in Belfast.
“This is a brilliant initiative from Technogym and I know that, as always, our members will step up to the challenge,” he said.
Ben Sandham, Technogym’s country manager, said the partnership shows how the fitness sector can convert physical activity into meaningful social action.
“The global Let’s Move & Donate Food initiative transforms physical activity into a powerful force for good,” he said. “Through our partnership with the UN World Food Programme, our ambition is to donate 1,000,000 school meals to children who need them most.”
Members in Belfast can support the campaign by logging their workouts during the initiative, with every MOVE helping to bring the global target within reach.