A brave group of hardy gym-goers are preparing to take on a gruelling SAS challenge to raise money for Ipswich Hospital’s appeal for a new breast care unit.

The 15-strong team from Ipswich Strength and Conditioning, which includes Jemma Yarnton-Peacock, a therapeutic radiographer at the hospital, will take on the Fan Dance Race on Saturday, January 13.

The gruelling 24km exercise will see them scale Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in the Welsh Brecon Beacons, before descending the other side, turning around and climbing the mountain for a second time.

The infamous march is considered the yardstick of a candidate’s potential to pass the SAS selection course.

The team has already raised £1,500 for the Blossom Appeal, which aims to build a £2.5 million state-of-the-art breast care unit at Ipswich Hospital.

“The whole team was really keen to support the appeal, as we can see that it will benefit our friends and relatives,” said Ms Yarnton-Peacock, 26.

“Improving the environment for patients as they move through the hospital will make such a difference to hundreds of people every year.

“I’m looking forward to the race but am also feeling more nervous as it gets closer.

“We’ve been training hard and doing as much as we can to practice climbing, but Suffolk is so flat that it’s been difficult to find any particularly hilly areas.”

To donate, visit the team’s Just Giving page.