A TEAM of local fundraisers is facing a major challenge this weekend when it takes on a 24-hour endurance race against top opposition – including the Gurkhas.

Justin Harris and his friends Tom White, Charlie Walker Blair, Richard Henson, John Webber and Richard Parsons, have raised £27,000 for local charities over the past three years, in memory of Justin’s wife Emma.

They hope to hit the £30,000 mark by the end of the summer.

Having previously competed in the Three Peaks and Ten Peaks events, the team is now fired up to attempt the Trailwalker Challenge – 64 miles of rugged terrain along the South Downs Way over a 24-hour period.

As a warm-up, Justin and his friends recently raised over £2,000 by completing the Exmoor Perambulation event and the team included support driver Richard Parsons.

Justin said: “The weather was testing, to say the least, with heavy rain and wind, but the group managed to push through and complete the event in a respectable time.”

This year, the friends are raising money for Hope for Tomorrow, St Margaret’s Hospice and for local youngster Archie Creech and his family’s nominated Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Justin added: “Tom White will not be able to join us this weekend as the arrival of his first child is imminent, so Dave Edwards has joined the team – another Minehead Barbarians rugby player who will do an excellent job.

“I can’t thank the West Somerset community enough for their support and generous donations. These challenges are not easy by any means, and all the money raised goes directly to some great causes in and around Exmoor.”

To make a donation, go to the Just Giving page www.gofundme.com/us7eb37y