A GUTSY group of four Stourbridge friends are getting set to take on a gruelling test of endurance to raise cash for a little girl battling a rare condition.

Neil Gibbons, Ian Cartwright, Glen Taylor, and Richard Watton, will be taking part in the Fan Dance 2016 - a testing 24km hike over the Pen Y Fan mountain in the Brecon Beacons while carrying a 35lb backpack.

The team, all fitness fans who have been friends since their teens, have been busy hill training together on Sunday mornings on the Clent and Malvern Hills, and The Pen y Fan itself, in preparation for the arduous trek - which follows the route aspiring SAS and SBS members take during the Special Forces selection process.

They are taking on the Fan Dance Summer challenge to help raise money for Amblecote tot Calla-Rose Cadman who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy which has in the past left her in a coma.

For former forces man Ian, aged 46, who now works for a construction firm, it will be his second time on the course - having taken part in the Fan Dance Winter event in January.

But for businessmen Neil, aged 38, Glen, aged 41, and Richard, aged 40, it will be their first attempt.

Neil, a father-of-two, said: "We had decided as a group that we wanted the ultimate endurance challenge and when we decided to do the Fan Dance we thought it would be a great chance to raise some money for a good local cause and Calla's condition touched us all as we all have young children."

Calla's parents Nicki and Lee Cadman and their friends have set up an online fundraising page to raise awareness of the youngster's condition and raise money for any equipment she may need.

A host of fundraising events have already taken place including a recent fun day at The Britannia pub, Wollaston, which raised £1,200.

So far donations and fundraising efforts have enabled the family to buy potentially lifesaving equipment which can raise the alarm if Calla suffers a night or silent seizure - and they are currently trying to raise funds for a wheelchair.

Neil said: "Having followed Calla's story on Facebook and in the Stourbridge News we thought it would be great if we could help the funding pot towards the wheelchair they are hoping to get. We really want to raise some money for this lovely little girl."

The team, who all enjoy different sports including running, cycling and mixed martial arts, will be taking on the challenge on Saturday July 9 and it is expected to take five to six hours to complete.

Anyone wishing to sponsor their efforts can make a donation online at www.gofundme.com/Calla-Rose.

To find out more about Calla and her condition check out www.courageouscallarose.co.uk or www.facebook.com/courageouscalla.