BOXING on a bus or football on four-wheels are just a few activities that make up the latest fitness project being staged by Oxford employment charity Aspire.

The charity, that supports disadvantaged people in the city get back in to work, have put the wheels in motion on its new crowdfunding project the 'gym bus'.

Funds are being raised for an old Oxford Bus Company ride to be tarted up and kitted out to create the county's first touring gym.

The well-being wagon hopes to enable those most disadvantaged in the county and people from all walks of life to get stuck into exercise.

Aspire chief executive officer Paul Roberts said: "There are thousands of people in Oxfordshire who are living in poverty, long-term unemployed, physically inactive or suffering from mental ill health.

"Aspire’s Gym Bus will give them access to sports activities that will help them take the first step to transforming their lives.

"This is an exciting new approach that will make so much difference to people in need and we can’t wait to get our bus on the road."

Aspire hopes by getting more people involved in health and wellbeing sessions it will boost confidence, held eradicate loneliness and provide support and advice.

A crowdfunding campaign for the Gym Bus project was launched this week in a bid to raise enough funds to transform a bus donated by Oxford Bus Company.

The Aspire team are hoping to pull in more than £8,000 in 40 days to help get the bus on the road.

Funds will help pay for the transformation of the bus including ideas such as creating a one-to-one room on board, fitness class area, massage therapy room plus bus seats for people to sit and enjoy the project. There will also be opportunities to talk to the team for health and wellbeing or nutritional advice, plus lessons such as smoothie sessions.

Exercise sessions that the team hope to take on tour include boxercise, aerobics, football, kettle bells, yoga and circuit training.

Oxford Bus Company has also said its team will help with the refit of the bus.

Bus company managing director Phil Southall said: "This is a fantastic project and we’re delighted to support it.

"It’s the first time we’ve been asked to partner with a charity on such an innovative community scheme that directly helps many people.

"One of our values is being socially responsible and so it was a natural fit for us to commit to this project and my colleagues look forward to working in partnership with Aspire to give something back to the community."

To donate go to crowdfunder.co.uk/help-us-get-our-bus-on-the-road