SEPTEMBER 17 will be a day to remember for Kevin Porter and Simon Bruford.

The two friends, who have never done any competitive running, will be competing in the Bristol half marathon – in memory of a childhood friend who has died of pancreatic cancer.

Peter Machin was 43 when he died last October and Kevin and Simon decided to raise money for Macmillan Nurses, who had looked after him.

A social evening at Williton’s Wyndham Arms raised £474, which was presented to the charity last week.

“It was an evening to celebrate Peter’s life,” Kevin said.

“We would like to thank our wives, Jennie and Jophie, who got some wonderful raffle prizes and who helped make the evening such a success.”

Now Kevin and Simon have started serious training for the half marathon: “Neither of us is athletic, to put it mildly,” Kevin said.

“It will be a huge challenge for both of us, but it is a great cause.”