A PUB chat at the Alma Inn in Baxenden has led to a group of friends ditching the beer for a few weeks in favour of training for this year’s Great North Run.

The team of four hoped to raise over £1000 for the aid agency, CAFOD by completing the gruelling 13.1-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields on Sunday, alongside 230 other CAFOD runners.

It started as a discussion on how to get fit when team organiser Ryan McGrath challenged fellow team members, Dan Day, Jonathon Tattersall, and Ben Mears to join him.

Ryan said: “I didn’t think we would stick with it but everyone’s really put the effort in with the training.”

Benjamin Mears, 26, has so far raised nearly £500 from generous customers at his Subway shop, along with kind donations from Spar Rawtenstall customers, the ladies from St James the Less Church in Rawtenstall and regulars from the Alma Inn, Baxenden.

Benjamin said: “It sounded like a good idea at the time and we’ve all gone with it.

"It’s the first time I’ve run in an event like this so it’s a real personal challenge but the training has been quite good fun."

“I’ve supported CAFOD through St Anne’s the local church, and feel it’s important to put myself out for the people they help who face a daily struggle to survive.”

“We’d like thank everyone who sponsored us so far and remind others that there is still time to do so.”