TELEVISION soap star Ross Kemp is encouraging people in Somerset to get Up, Down & Dirty for St Margaret’s Hospice.

The EastEnders actor turned author and journalist is known for his interest in physical fitness and the armed forces. Now he has given his backing to a new muddy run challenge which is raising funds for St Margaret’s.

Designed to cater for all fitness levels, Up, Down & Dirty offers a choice of Fun 5k, Tempting 10k and Filthy 15k routes with a variety of obstacles along the way.

The event is taking place at Treborough, in the Brendon Hills, on October 28 and Aldon, Yeovil, on November 18.

Participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship for St Margaret’s Hospice, which needs to raise over £9.5 million a year to fund its end-of-life care services for people across Somerset.

Up, Down & Dirty at Treborough is sponsored by Western Power Distribution. The company is continuing its support of St Margaret’s Hospice after a volunteering project earlier this year which saw apprentices renovate the charity’s retail distribution warehouse and collect donations worth around £65,000 from households in Somerset.

It comes after participants in the charity’s Glitter Run events in Taunton and Wincanton this summer raised a total of £100,000 through sponsorship and merchandise sales – enough to pay for four whole days of care throughout Somerset, at St Margaret’s Hospice’s in-patient units and in the community.

Clare Gallie, director of fundraising, marketing and communications at St Margaret’s Hospice, said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who took part in the Glitter Run and helped to raise such a fantastic amount of money to care for people in Somerset who are facing a life-limiting illness.

“We’re delighted that Ross Kemp is backing our new Up, Down & Dirty challenge and look forward to as many people as possible joining us to get muddy while supporting their local hospice this autumn.

“There’s still plenty of time to get training, but you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to join in the fun.”

Last year St Margaret’s Hospice supported more than 3,800 people affected by life-limiting illnesses across Somerset.

For more information or to book a place at Up, Down & Dirty, visit www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/up-down-and-dirty or call 0845 345 9671.