TWO men will be going snooker loopy by taking part in a 24-hour charity challenge.

Bill Gillespie and Gareth McCoy will be playing snooker non-stop for a day at Birkenshaw Liberal Club, in Croft Street.

They will take it in turns to face all opponents for single frame matches at the table during the challenge, which starts at noon on Saturday, May 6.

During the first 12 hours of the test, the duo have invited any players to come to the club and take on either Mr Gillespie or Mr McCoy for a frame on one of the club’s two tables.

The duo will then only play each other during the second 12 hours of the gruelling challenge, once the club has shut its doors to customers.

They have also invited a number of local professional and amateur players to take them on, including Bradford-born Joe Johnson, who won the 1986 World Snooker Championship.

They will also be joined by multi-Bradford snooker champion Wayne Cooper and fellow Bradford player Kevin Firth.

All proceeds from the event will be split evenly between Cancer Research and Birkenshaw Bluedogs, a junior rugby league club.

Mr Gillespie, 66, who is retired, says himself and Mr McCoy have set an initial £1,000 fundraising target and have hailed the support they have already received from fellow Liberal Club members and others.

Mr Gillespie, who is a member of the Liberal Club alongside Mr McCoy, said: “Everybody has been so supportive.

“We shouldn’t have a problem breaking our original fundraising barrier.

“We have already raised quite a bit of money but maybe we could get to £2,000. We are trying to get as many people to play us as we can. We will play anybody. All comers will have to play against either me or Gareth, as we have to be on the table at all times for the challenge. It is going to be a bit of a physical endurance test.”

Mr Gillespie added the challenge will also be a mental test for the pair.

He added: “It is also going to be a test of mental endurance for both of us too. We are both looking forward to it.

“It will be tough for us to both be on our feet for 24 hours playing snooker.

“We have invited a few professional and amateur players to come along and take us on too.

“Both of the liberal club’s tables will be used for the challenge.

“We will be playing constantly, so no alcohol will be consumed by either of us during the 24 hours.”

People can make a donation directly to the player’s charity test at Birkenshaw Liberal Club, or also on the day of the challenge.