A county fitness instructor has organised a gruelling 10-hour fitness challenge to help raise funds for a good cause in the New Year.

Kari Spence, 32, started the fundraiser to raise money for Together in Sport Rwanda (TISR), a charity she founded in 2012.

The charity uses sport as a tool to improve education, develop life skills and improve health, wellbeing and social cohesion of young people living in the village of Gako in the central African country.

The money raised will go towards TISR’s Girls’ Space Vocational Hub, a special project aimed at providing “life-changing opportunities” to young women.

The former North Berwick High School pupil also operates her own personal training business, K-Fitness, which she is using to organise the event. It will take place at Diamond Fitness in Fenton Barns on Saturday, January 20.

About 30 people will take part in the challenge, blending a range of different activities over the 10 hours which will undoubtedly leave some tired legs.

Speaking about the fundraiser, Kari, who now lives in Musselburgh, told the Courier that all the hard work and toil would definitely be worth it.

She said: “The Girls’ Space Vocational Hub is such a special project which is providing life-changing opportunities to the teenagers we work with.

“The 10-hour fitness challenge is going to be extremely tough but every minute will be worth it, knowing we have raised funds to continue our work in Rwanda.

“I love that I am able to link both K-Fitness and Together In Sport Rwanda together for this event, and thank everyone who has signed up to support me!”

Kari explained that the challenge would involve a range of circuits, bringing together the likes of boxing and military fitness as well as a “surprise”.

She added: “Some of it will be low impact and some will be high intensity.

“It’s going to be a tough day – but I do think it will go really fast.”

So far, the fundraiser has brought in more than £4,500, smashing the original target of £3,500.

Now the target has been raised to £7,000 as the donations keep pouring in and Kari can’t wait to get going.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to it – I hope the community can cheer us on a bit. I am so delighted that we have already managed to raise over £4,000 in our online and offline donations.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. Our aim is to raise £7,000 by the day of the event, which will be an incredible way to start 2024!”

When asked if she was looking to do more fundraisers in 2024, she thought she would but “nothing was set in stone” just yet.

Those wanting to donate to Kari’s fundraiser should visit justgiving.com/campaign/k-fitness10hour challenge