Gym members are set to do a 24 hour work-out to raise money for two charities.

Head Coach Shaun Samonini, 27, of The Only Way is CrossFit in Bairny Wood Approach, Woodford Green, will be participating with three others in an ultimate fitness challenge this weekend.

He will be joined by Marine Billy Weir, 23, Katy Degen, 23 and Donavon Simson, 31, to undertake an eight to 20-minute workout on the hour of every hour to raise £1,000 for Help the Heroes and the Philippines Typhoon Appeal.

The challenge will start on Saturday at midday, and the group’s aim is to complete the 24 workouts by midday on Sunday.

The team have so far raised £800 and have been training for three months, and meet regularly on week-day evenings to learn the fitness routines.

Speaking about the up-and-coming challenge, Mr Samonini said: “We wanted to do this to challenge ourselves and we chose Help for Heroes because Billy is a marine so it tied in nicely.

“The 24 hour challenge is going to be really tough mentally and physically and I suppose emotions will be running high on the day.”

Ms Degen, 23, of Clematis Gardens in Woodford, said: "I'm under no illusions here. It's going to be brutal, definitely the hardest thing, physically and mentally I've ever done.

"There will be tears (from Billy, mainly) but I'm glad I'm doing it with these three great guys, I know we'll pull each other through the walls we'll inevitably hit throughout the 24 hours."

Mr Weir 23, of Hoe Lane in Abridge, is taking part in the challenge to help his fellow Marines. 

"I'm doing the challenge firstly because I'm a Royal Marine and I have seen the benefit of Help for Heroes first hand," he said.

“They are a fantastic charity helping lads who have made sacrifices for the UK. I expect it to be quite difficult but anything that comes easy probably isn't worth doing.

The fitness centre will be holding a cake sale at the event on Saturday, and the public is invited to go along and watch the four contestants battle their way through the challenge for charity.