Teesside workers have landed in South Africa for the physical and mental challenge of their lives.

Chris Plews, 40, and Ian Glover, 50, employees at the Sembcorp Utilities UK powerstation, travelled to South Africa to take part in the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon.

The marathon will see competitors from all over the world cover 155 miles in seven days, braving temperatures of around 45 degrees Celsius.

The men took up the challenge in order to raise £20,000, to be shared between local charities Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice in Normanby and the Butterwick Hospice in Stockton.

Mr Plews said: “What we are doing is going to be really tough, but the assistance that the money raised will bring to families across Teesside will help to spur us on.”

Legendary Teesside ‘Ironman’ Arthur Puckrin, 74, was formally invited to bid the men farewell at a special send off event. Mr Puckrin, the oldest member of the Cleveland Triathlon Club, regularly competes in gruelling Ironman Triathlon events.

He said: “I wish the guys all the luck in the world. I know just how hard the event they’re facing is going to be, both physically and mentally, and they’re doing it all for two great Teesside causes.”

Donations can be made at sembcorp.co.uk or by sending cheques made out to the two charities to Joanna Whysall, c/o Sembcorp Utilities UK, Wilton International, Middlesbrough TS90 8WS.