EDDIE Howe admitted “I’ve given myself a big challenge” as he prepares to take part in a two-hour workout session for charity tomorrow afternoon, adding: “I don’t know what I’m doing to be honest!”

Cherries boss Howe is part of a group involved in the gruelling prospect in a bid to raise funds for children’s hospice charity Julia’s House.

Howe will put his body to the test in the extreme High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) ‘Insanity’ session as part of the ‘HIIT Squad’, which has raised more than £30,000.

The workout includes a series of press-ups, squat-thrusts and lunges.

The event was originally due to take place at a gym at Vitality Stadium, but due to the ground closing this week because of the COVID-19 outbreak, it has been relocated to an outdoor location at BH Live at Littledown Leisure Centre.

Discussing his decision to take on the challenge, Howe told the Daily Echo: “I don’t know what I’m doing to be honest!

“But it’s something I agreed to for the cause. For Julia’s House and to try and raise money for that organisation, something that’s very, very close to my heart, I’ll do it.

“I’ll put my body through two hours of… I’ve got to choose my words carefully!

“But I’ve been training for it and it’s incredibly difficult, so I think I’ve given myself a big challenge.”

Asked if he’d had any tips or stick from any members of his Cherries squad, Howe added: “I’m sure the players aren’t aware of anything.

“But if people can support me and raise some money and sponsor me in any way then I thank them from the bottom of my heart because I see close hand what Julia’s House does and the work they do there is absolutely incredible.”

Discussing which of his players may fare well in such a challenge, he continued: “If I had to pick someone to train with me, you’d always look at mentalities. It’s something that when you put your body through that kind of intense workout, there’ll be a few players I think that would do very well.”

Howe’s training has included plenty of early starts and he admits he has not been flooded with offers from his fellow members of staff to join in.

“Absolutely not. They go running a mile when I turn up for training at that time in the morning,” said Howe.

Howe’s nephew Andy, who also works at Cherries and is set to run in this year’s London Marathon, which has been rescheduled for October, said: “He is very understanding of how hard training can be.

“I have been keeping a close eye on his videos via social media and I’ve been texting him regularly and he keeps telling me how tough it is. But enjoyable too.”

Andy joked: “It’s kind of good to see him struggle a little bit! And understand how hard my marathon training has been.

“It’s great to see him doing something amazing for Julia’s House. He loves his fitness anyway but to see him dedicate his training for a charity is great.”

The workout will be streamed live on Julia’s House’s Facebook page from 1.45pm.

“When we started this appeal in January we were looking to raise enough money to fund two Julia’s House nurses. That seemed a big ask but with the spread of COVID-19, the appeal is now much bigger,” said Martin Edwards, CEO of Julia’s House

We are still visiting families in their homes and offering a lifeline of care to hugely vulnerable children, when they may otherwise be isolated from the outside world and we will continue to do so for as long as we possibly can.

"At the same time, we are having to postpone and cancel some of our flagship fundraising events. We’re almost 100% publicly funded and we estimate this is going to take £1 million of our income this year.

"We know these are difficult times and everyone is worried, but we so need people to support the HIIT Squad. 

"Our families often don’t have anyone other than Julia’s House to turn to, so people giving today will help us ensure we can carry on supporting the children in our community who need us the most.”

To donate to the cause, visit justgiving.com/campaign/hiit-squad