SOLDIERS have staged a marathon rowing session to raise money for endangered species.

Members of the 101 Northumbrian Regiment Royal Artillery volunteers, based in Newcastle, undertook the challenge using rowing machines outside Tesco Extra, in Kingston Park, at the weekend.

Their aim was to raise money for the endangered wildlife of Zambia, where they are heading in July to provide much-needed engineering help for the wildlife authorities.

The team will spend three weeks repairing ageing and rapidly failing vehicles and communication equipment used by anti-poaching patrols to protect elephants and Black Rhinos.

Starting on Saturday, each member attempted to row about 50km - adding up to the total 645 navigable kilometres of the Zambezi River.

Captain Stu Olden said: "Our work will, hopefully, assist in helping to ensure that the elephant and Black Rhino populations of Zambia survive the threat of extinction."

The challenge was one of several fundraising events before the team's departure.