A Letchworth fitness coach has helped raise vital funds for a children’s hospital by running two bootcamp classes to help a Baldock fundraiser towards her goal.

The Comet: Rachel Carling in training at The Hub Letchworth.Rachel Carling in training at The Hub Letchworth. (Image: Archant)

Coach Conor Turner, who works at The Hub Letchworth, was inspired by his friend Rachel Carling – who is set to run the London Marathon in aid of Evelina London this year, and is trying to raise money through her training as well.

Conor, billed by Rachel as ‘Baldock’s very own amateur strong man’, held the bootcamp classes on the last two Sundays, with The Hub’s management donating use of the facility. Some 28 people took part, with donations bringing in a total of £165 for the charity.

Posting on her fundraising page, Rachel said afterwards: “Conor and The Hub did a great job. The workouts were tough and everyone enjoyed themselves. We even had a good handful of repeat offenders at the second class.

“Training is going well – 18 miles completed today, My longest run ever, so far.”

Conor said: “I’m really proud that Rachel allowed me to get involved in her mission to raise as much money as possible for Evelina.

“Not only did I get to invite new people into the gym for an awesome workout, but I also helped mix up Rachel’s training plan and showed her that strength work and high-intensity interval training also helps with stamina and endurance.”

Evelina London is a charity close to Rachel’s heart and is the second largest provider of children’s services in London. She hopes to raise £5,000 in total.

Her other fundraising has included a Christmas raffle at her job and collecting for Evelina while dressed in a reindeer onesie at Baldock’s Christmas market, with the latter effort raising more than £100 for the cause. Her preparations for April’s marathon have included running the St Neots Half Marathon in November.

If you’d like to donate to Rachel’s cause, see justgiving.com/RachelCarling.