A volunteer coach has thanked people for their "amazing support" after hundreds rallied to spread the word behind his free bootcamp sessions, when nobody turned up to the first.

Bulent Mustafa, 23, was left standing outside Sheerness Healthy Living Centre alone, with fellow coach James Wells, after the initial two-hour class fell flat last Wednesday.

The 23-year-old had organised the free weekly fitness sessions for 15-to-20-year-olds on the Island, with the support of charity Sheppey Matters, in a bid to boost socialisation among young people and support their physical and mental health.

He said: "I believe, on the Island, for that age group there isn't much going on. So I thought something like this, outdoors, physical, would benefit them really well.

"Physical activity helps you mentally as well. With that age group, they're either starting Year 11, going into college, starting university, or they're starting independent life, and I know how hard that can be to them, and the struggles that they're going through.

"So I think something like this, something free as well, will maybe take a bit of pressure off their shoulders."

But when the first session ran last Wednesday, nobody showed up.

The volunteer coach said he felt he didn't advertise the weekly event as much as he should have.

After taking pictures of the empty session and posting them on Facebook, the full-time delivery driver was met with hundreds of shares, and many messages from parents, grandparents and young people expressing interest in the bootcamp.

In an interview with KentOnline before the second session yesterday, Bulent said: "Obviously if 100 people turn up it would be hard for us to keep everyone safe, we've only got two eyes.

"But I would be happy with anything between five to 10 people turning up."

Yesterday, was the second session and had 11 attendees.

Bulent said: "All the people that took part were fantastic. They all put in 100% and showed great performance."

After the session, Bulent said on Facebook: "I started my journey with a dream, a dream where I keep pushing forward and doing great things for my wonderful community.

"I believe in my journey and the goals that I have set out, I am here to make a change.

"However I am only one person, I am unable to be everywhere at once. So believe in me and give me some time. Thank you all for the amazing support."

The bootcamp runs weekly at the Sheerness Healthy Living Centre, from 4.30pm until 6.30pm on Wednesdays.

Visit Bulent's Facebook page to find out more.