KEEP fit fans are preparing to muck in for causes close to their hearts.

A total of 21 members of Bootcamp Bastion, based at Wyvern Farm, Stanway, are set to take part in the Muddy 5k, in Ardleigh.

The tough course includes obstacles, mud pits and lake wades and is organised by Mucky Races.

Nicola Mason, boot camp leader and personal trainer, said half of her group taking part would be raising money for the Colchester Hospitals Charity and the other half, for Lexden Springs School. She said: “One of the ladies who comes to boot camp had her girl, Betsy, born at 38 weeks but she had stopped growing at 33 weeks. She was born weighing 3lbs, 7oz.”

Betsy is now a healthy twoyear- old and is the daughter of Clare Newman.

Another boot camp member is Deb Winchester, whose son Devrim Ozturk, 15, has Down’s Syndrome and attends Lexden Springs School, Lexden.

Mrs Winchester wants to thank the school for its ongoing support to him.

Mrs Mason, 40, of Gosbecks Road, Colchester, said all the members were preparing themselves for the challenge on July 18.

She said: “They all come to boot camp and we have been making them roll around in the mud a bit.

“A lot of them have personal training with me as well.

“We are hoping to raise £100 each.”

You can donate at justgiving.com/Nicola-Mason7 and justgiving.com/matthewmason10 For more information about the event, email nicola mason24.nm@gmail.com ! Fundraisers can raise muchneeded money for the Cancer Centre Campaign by taking part in the Muddy 5k.

The campaign aims to raise £4.5 million to bring all cancer medical and support services together in one centre at Colchester General Hospital. To find out more, go to cohoc.org.uk