A FITNESS group in Weymouth is urging residents to get active and raise money for charity in the process.

The Train with Charmaine group is running a morning of taster sessions for many of its exercise events, with proceeds set to be donated to Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

The fundraiser will take place at St Aldhelm's Church Hall on Saturday, August 20, from 9am until 12 noon.

Classes will vary from boxing to circuits, as well as the group's own take on the popular 'insanity' workout.

The morning will come to an end with a pilates and pure stretch session.

Each of the individual classes costs £5 per person, with a pass for the entire morning available for £20.

All of the money raised as a result of putting on these classes will be donated to Weldmar.

Charmaine Bates, owner of the group, said that the various sessions offered a "mish mash" of everything that the group offers, catering to a number of different ability levels, so that everyone can take part.

She said: "It gives people the opportunity to say they enjoyed it and gets the local area more interested in fitness."

Weldmar Hospicecare Trust runs hospices in Weymouth and Dorchester and specialises in providing end of life care to vulnerable people in Dorset.

Charmaine said that her group takes part in fundraising events for Weldmar every year and added that she was inspired to raise money because the charity is very close to her heart.

She added: "I started fundraising for Weldmar when my grandma died in the Joseph Weld Hospice.

"Most of [Weldmar’s work] is done from charitable donations, so I decided to give something back.

"They offer a more private service and people really need it. Without it, a lot of people would really feel the effects of [their illness].

"It is a much nicer environment for them to be in."

Weldmar relies on donations from members of the public to provide 75 per cent of its annual income.

Charmaine and the group have raised more than £1,500 to date for the charity through her various fundraising activities over the years.