TWO men will take on a muddy challenge in aid of a regional heart unit that helps children across the Bradford district.

Friends Andy Chilton and Mark Hippey, of Eccleshill, Bradford, are tackling Mudnificent 7, which is a 7km course littered with a variety of challenging obstacles tomorrow in Warwickshire.

They are doing it in aid of the Children's Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF), which is vital to the ongoing work of the Children's Heart Surgery Unit in Leeds.

Mr Chilton, who has recently become a trustee of the charity, said: "We want to raise as much money for them as possible because they do a great job.

"The first time I went round the unit it really touched me, seeing six-month-old babies that have been in there since they were born.

"The charity does fantastic work, in terms of both equipment and things like decorating to make quiet spaces."

He added: "A lot of Bradford people use the charity. We have known the charity for a little while through work. Me and my colleagues over the years have got close to them. It has become our chosen charity so it made sense to get more involved and give a bit more back.

"It is a small charity with big aims. Without the charity, the experience of these very poorly children and their families would be much less pleasant than they help to make it. And the small team that run CHSF is very talented, committed and hard-working. They care with a passion about providing a growing service which will enable the growing population around Leeds to be served as well as they should be."

Mr Chilton, 48, has done various things for charities over the years, including the London Marathon, Great North Run, and a Land's End to John O'Groats bike ride.

On the latest challenge, which the duo hope will raise £1,000 for the charity, he said: "I am sure it will feel twice as far, going over obstacles and through mud.

"I'd like to say we're at our fittest, but looking at the state of us and seeing some of the pictures on the Mudnificent website, I actually think we might have to drag one another round the course!"

The charity's chief executive, Sharon Coyle, said: "The support from both Andy and Mark is extremely important to Children's Heart Surgery Fund, particularly since the charity is wholly self-funded, it therefore relies on organisations such as this to promote the work we do. This in turn raises awareness of congenital heart disease and income.

"Our work is very important to the staff at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit by supporting their aim of becoming a world class centre of excellence. We support patients and families by providing accommodation, a friendly environment, living costs and revolutionary equipment, we considerably enhance the patient experience from foetal through to adulthood."

To sponsor the pair, visit justgiving.com/Andy-Chilton4.