A CHARITY is set to benefit by more than £100,000, thanks to the efforts of staff at a company from the region.

Staff at Wolseley Centers, Ripon, North Yorkshire, are organising an eight-day jungle trek in Cuba to raise funds for the NCH children's charity.

Already in training are Rob Marsden, a 40-year-old stock manager based at Melmerby, and 36-year-old Darran Rick-ards, heating products director based at the firm's Ripon headquarters.

Mr Rickards, of North Stainley, said: "It certainly sounds more perilous than hiking in North Yorkshire.

"We have been warned to expect jungle conditions with leeches and mosquitoes and swamps with alligators.

"But customers and suppliers are giving us a good response in pledging donations, and we are confident we will reach our target."

Mr Marsden, who lives in Harrogate, said: "It will definitely be a tough physical challenge because as well as the jungle conditions, there are some high mountains to cross."

The two will form part of a 50-man team from Wolseley Centers across the UK and their effort will get under way in November.