A GROUP of body pumping, fist clenching gym buffs have kicked and punched their troubles away to raise cash for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

DW Fitness in North Swindon earlier today played host to a tough team of dedicated fitness fanatics who undertook a gruelling five hour Combatathon challenge.

The idea was to do five hours of non-stop Les Mills Body Combat exercises. The programme is a mixture of martial arts and body pump fitness routines, and when all the donations have been counted, organisers are hoping to hit the £5,000 target.

It was the ninth year in a row that the challenge, which is not for the faint-hearted, had been attempted, and fitness instructor Natalie Burt loved every minute of it.

She said: “It was very hard work, which is what all of us fully expected. The class is usually an hour long, so to have done it five times over was a big challenge. But it was great fun and everyone seemed to enjoy it.”

The room was full of people shouting, singing, punching and kicking, putting their martial arts skills to the ultimate test.

Some even completed the challenge in fancy dress. Keeping with the air ambulance theme, Natalie dressed as a surgeon while others came as nurses and patients.

Speaking about why they chose to raise funds for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Natalie said: “It’s a charity that means a lot to many people in Swindon. You never know when you might need it yourself, and all the volunteers there are wonderful.

“I’m a first aid trainer myself and I had to give CPR to someone recently, so I know it is a very worthwhile charity and everyone was very pleased to support it.”

The air ambulance’s mascot, Wilber, was on hand to watch the participants sweat it out, though five hours of the the gruelling workout was a little too much for him.

Natalie took part in last year’s Swindon Half Marathon, again raising cash for the air ambulance. She’s not taking part in this year’s run, but she will certainly keep punching, kicking and pumping her way to Combatathon glory.

For more info, visit www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk.