A TEAM of 20 young farmers from Worcestershire will be taking part in a 160 run in aid of the neonatal intensive care unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and Cancer Research UK.

The group from the Worcestershire Federation of Young Farmers’ Club will set off from their headquarters in Hawford, near Worcester, on Thursday, April 23 in a rolling 5km relay down the A38 over three days.

By the time the group reaches the Devon seaside town each member will have run 26 miles – the equivalent of a full marathon.

Federation chairman Matt Tomkins will be leading the team and said choosing which causes to support had not been difficult.

“The neonatal unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital helped support a couple who have supported not only their local Young Farmers’ club but also the County Federation for many years,” he said.

“Sue and Mark Symonds had their world turned upside down with the very early arrival of their son, young Thomas at just 29 weeks in November last year.

“The support they received from the unit and all the hard work from the staff there helped them through a very difficult time, and we are so pleased that Thomas is doing so well now.

“Young Farmers is just as much about helping other charities, despite us being a registered charity ourselves, we are thrilled to be able to give something back to the local community.”

One of the runners, Jane Righton, has a personal connection to the unit, which supported her when her twin daughters Evie and Olivia were born prematurely, weighing just two pounds and three pounds each.

Mr Tomkins said he was keen to raise money for Cancer Research UK in memory of a close friend who died a few years ago.

“He was a much loved character and was thought of highly by his peers,” he said. “I have been waiting for an opportunity to do something big for the charity, and now seems like the perfect opportunity.”

He added he was hoping businesses and organisations would chip in to sponsor the team.

“We want to give something back to causes that mean a lot to us, that have helped support our friends and family in their hour of need, of which we are ever thankful form,” he said.

“We cannot complete our goal without the help of others, so please help us as much as you can, no matter how big or small.”

To donate to the team visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/runninondownthea38.