A GROUP of four men are preparing today to chase the sun around the Lake District.The challenge will see them cycle 50-miles, climb 2,500ft and canoe for two-and-a-half-miles starting at dawn and making sure they reach their destination before the sun goes down.

A GROUP of four men are preparing today to chase the sun around the Lake District.

The challenge will see them cycle 50-miles, climb 2,500ft and canoe for two-and-a-half-miles starting at dawn and making sure they reach their destination before the sun goes down.

Between them they are hoping to raise £1,800 for Action Medical Research as a result of the endurance test on September 6.

Steve Ward, 28, of Hampton Road, Ipswich, said the training had been “horrific” as he got fit enough to tackle to course.

He added: “We are putting in lots of training and it is really gruelling.

“I was relatively unfit without being overweight when I first started. I couldn't jog for more than two miles.

“Then in the last four-months I've put in a lot of effort and I can run a long way now.

“We have to finish the event as a team and the others were fit, so I knew I had to hurry up and start training.

“We haven't practised the canoeing because it will be a Canadian canoe we use and they don't have any around here, so we've been on the rowing machine a lot.

“Once we start we'll have until the sun goes down. The fastest time is six-and-a-half hours and we're hoping to do it in less than ten hours.”

Neil Shade, 30, a former Thurleston High School pupil, who organised the event and persuaded the others, including Joe Dyozinski, 28, and Judd Coe, 36, to take part, added: “It is a great cause as Action Medical Research has been involved in some groundbreaking discoveries.

“I'm excited about doing it. And we're doing some great times in training so I'm optimistic about the event.”

To support the team visit www.action.org.uk/giving/sponsorship/account_details.php?user=BRAVEHEARTS.

Are you taking on a challenge for charity? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.