A TEAM of six from an Ipswich hotel is challenging themselves in more ways than one this year. The Swallow Belstead Brook Hotel is sending a team headed by general manager James Jude, to Cumbria, to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

A TEAM of six from an Ipswich hotel is challenging themselves in more ways than one this year. The Swallow Belstead Brook Hotel is sending a team headed by general manager James Jude, to Cumbria, to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The team will be part of a group of 200 taking on the Cumbria Adventure Challenge on May 11.

The tough, physical challenge involves climbing England's highest mountain - Skiddaw, a 26 mile on and off-road cycle and finally paddling a Canadian canoe on a six-mile stretch of Derwent water.

Mr Jude said: "There are 200,000 visually impaired people in the UK and it costs £35,000 for each guide dog. By raising funds we can help to give these people independence."

The team, Julie Podmore, Julie Smith, Karl Harris, Jean Wheaton, James Jude, and Leza Cook are already training hard and are looking for help with sponsorship, as they have pledged to raise a minimum of £2,400 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

If you can help, please call the hotel on 01473 684241.