It’s the ultimate physical challenge aimed at raising tens of thousands of pounds for one of Dorset’s favourite charities.

AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has teamed up with Martin Edwards, the Chief Executive Officer of children’s hospice charity Julia’s House, to take part in a gruelling two hour High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) fundraiser.

Martin and Eddie, now known as the Julia’s House HIIT Squad, aim to raise £60,000 via JustGiving when they push their bodies to the extreme in the challenge at the AFC Bournemouth gym on March 18.

The ‘2 hours for 2 nurses’ workout will enable the Dorset and Wiltshire children’s hospice charity to raise money towards funding two nurses for a year and make a life-changing difference to the local families it supports.

Joining Eddie and Martin in the AFC Bournemouth gym for their marathon HIIT workout will be business leaders from across Dorset and Wiltshire, with fitness instructors from BH Live putting them through their paces.

(l-r) Chris Symons, Martin Edwards, Jamie Wollen and Hugh Roper.

Those taking up the ultimate HIIT challenge include Chris Symons from BH Live, Jason Gault of TeamJobs, Jamie Wollen of JWA Consulting, Hugh Roper of Rockets & Rascals, Tim Brown of Superior Seals and Pip Woods and Peter Gordon of Rockley Watersports.

The group is expected to take the fundraising challenge to a different level with the support of their staff and clients.

BH Live will be holding its own two hour HIIT Squad challenge at Bournemouth’s Littledown Centre from 6-8pm on March 18.

Anyone aged 14 or over can sign up, start training and get sponsored through a dedicated JustGiving page linked to the HIIT Squad.

BH Live staff will also be fundraising with all-day cycle challenges taking place at BH Live leisure centres across Bournemouth and Poole.

Eddie, who is a patron of Julia’s House, said: “When Martin asked me to take on the marathon HIIT challenge I didn’t hesitate, as I know what a difference two nurses will make to the children and families Julia’s House looks after.

“It will be two of my toughest ever hours in the gym but I’ll be focusing on how much money we’re raising to support all the families at Julia’s House now and in the future.”

Martin added: “The families that Julia’s House supports face a lot of challenges in their lives – not to mention worry, exhaustion and heartache.

“Our challenge is about being there for those families.

“Whether you are sponsoring me and Eddie or fellow HIIT Squad members, donating to BH Live staff in their cycle challenge or taking part in the evening HIIT Squad challenge at Littledown, your support will go towards funding nurses who are an absolute lifeline to local families.”

To support Martin, Eddie and the HIIT Squad in their bid to fund two nurses for Julia’s House, visit Martin and Eddie’s JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JHHIITSQUAD.