Going gets tough for trio taking on charity challenge

Agroup of friends from Burton-Upon-Stather is taking part in a punishing assault course in order to raise money for three friends who have died.

Jon-Christopher Bayley, Matthew Walden and Seb Seawell, all 28, and Richard Dowse, 27, are running in the Tough Mudder 2012 half- marathon in the North Wales area to raise money for three charities.

Chris Simpson died in 2004 aged 21 after a battle with a brain tumour and Thomas Standerline died in 2010 aged 26 at the Scunthorpe steelworks.

The group is also raising money for Darren Clark, who died during a paintball challenge in Messingham last year aged 27.

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The group of friends met at Burton-Upon-Stather Primary School and grew close during their school years.

Mr Bayley said: "We all grew up together and are a close group of friends.

"We wanted to raise money for the charities that are close to our hearts.

"Each one represents a lost friend.

"Losing three close friends has been very difficult, but has also reinforced what a close group of friends we are."

The group will be raising money for CRY – a cardiac charity – Martin House Hospice in Yorkshire and the Thomas Standerline Memorial Fund for local young musicians.

Mr Bayley said: "We are all relatively fit and do different sports, so when an advert for Tough Mudder appeared on the TV we thought we would give it a go.

"We have been out running nearly every day recently and done some core strength training.

"But I hope the adrenaline will help get us round."

The Tough Mudder event will consist of a 12-mile obstacle course designed by Special Forces to test strength and stamina. Some of the obstacles they will have to face include an ice bath, wading through a mud pit, log carrying, fire runs and electric shocks.

Mr Bayley said: "We are dreading and also looking forward to the electric shock section and being submerged in a bath of ice."

The group will be taking up the challenge on Saturday, November 17.