IT's going to be a mucky day for seven colleagues from design engineers Atkins when they line up for the Oblivion Mud Runner challenge at Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury on Sunday, June 28.

The team, who are all based at the company's offices in Charles Hastings Way, will need all of their stamina and endurance to navigate the uncompromising course designed to test the limits of off-road vehicles. Some of them are members of Atkins’ sports and social group, which is taking on a number of physical challenges to raise money for St Richard’s Hospice and other selected local charities.

Nicola Dufton, whose father was cared for by the hospice, will be joined by Jennings Blake, Tracey Bentley, Matt Roberts, Liam Innis, Steve Grundy and Terri Misters. The Oblivion Mud Runner course comprises a muddy 10km/ six mile run around the Eastnor Castle Estate with challenging obstacles at regular intervals. The group will help each other over the obstacles and intend to cross the finishing line together.

Ms Dufton said: “I don’t really like running or the idea of getting plastered in mud, but St Richard’s is such an amazing charity and is the reason I am doing this. My father passed away there last year and the staff and the facilities were just brilliant, and made the whole situation much easier to cope with than if we had been at home.”

Jennings Blake added: “My sister was suffering from cancer and was due to go to St Richard’s, but she passed away suddenly. I promised her I would continue her fight and believe that the work that St Richard’s provides to patients and their families is invaluable to the community.”