A GROUP of friends will pull a truck for 26 miles to raise money for a good cause.

Matt Sturgess, Paul Cave, Dave Welstead, Lee Crawford, Daffyd Wright, Josh Aplin, Mark Vukcevic, Harry Lauste and Martin Wiles will pull the 2.5 tonne truck from Boscombe Pier to Sandbanks for the Lewis-Manning Hospice and Forest Holme Hospice.

Between them, there is a policeman, fireman, a man in training for the Royal Marines, a carpenter and a builder, amongst other jobs.

It is something, Matt says, that they have all been in training for since October last year, but whilst it may be tough, they are determined to complete The Big Pull for Cancer on May 18.

Matt said: “A dad of one member of the team was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, and he saw the help that the hospices have given to him.”

He added: “We wanted to give something back, so we are hoping to raise £10,000 to share between the charities.

“Over the past few months, we’ve been pulling a car for practice for between four and six-mile distances, but Tuesday was the first time we tried the truck we will actually use.

“We have seen Harry Redknapp on a couple of occasions on our way through Sandbanks, and he always speaks to us as he goes past in his car.

“He said that he wanted to be at the evening event we are doing but unfortunately, I don’t think he’ll make it as Queen’s Park Rangers have got their got their game against Liverpool the next day.”

To support their fundraising, the men are holding an after-event party at The Britannia, in Ashley Cross, which will feature a hog roast and barbecue, with tickets costing £5 per person. To purchase tickets, call Forest Holme Hospice, on 01202 670644.

For more information on the challenge, go to Uk.viginmoneygiving.com/team/bigpullforcancer or search for ‘Big Pull for Cancer’ on Facebook.