CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois football raised thousands of dollars at its annual Lift for Life event.

Players split into teams competing in various weight-lifting competitions, raising money for Uplifting Athletes, a nonprofit that supports those impacted by rare diseases.

Leaders of the event, Grayson Griffin and Luke Zardzin, said this event is a great chance for players to give back.

“We were able to put others before ourselves, Griffin said. “Obviously, we’re still getting something out of it, working out, competing with each other.” “But, at the end of the day, we’re really doing it for those with rare diseases to help benefit them.”

“As athletes, our whole lives we’ve had tunnel vision, been thinking about football, doing our own thing,” Zardzin said. “Finally, I got involved in something I wasn’t really familiar with, and I think it’s just been such a great experience to be a part of this.”

If you’d like to make a donation, you can here.