A TRIO of super-fit ex-servicemen from Pendle are to take on feats of physical endurance to raise money for charity.

This Saturday, former soldiers Joe Miller and Archie Vance will strap rucksacks weighing 35lbs to their backs and attempt to run 30 miles from Colne, into the Ribble Valley and back through Padiham and Burnley, in just 12 hours.

On the same day, Terry Hartley, who also served in the Army between 2004 and 2005, will cycle almost 50 miles across arduous terrain in Colne, Keighley, Oxenholme, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Burnley.

Between them, they hope to raise more than £1,000 for Help for Heroes, which supports wounded troops and their families.

Joe and Archie will set off from the Union Exchange, in Market Place, Colne, at 2am on Saturday.

They will run up Red Lane, through Blacko, Gisburn and over Pendle Hill, heading back via Padiham and Burnley, where they intend to stop between 10am and 10.30am to undertake some fundraising in the town centre.

They hope to arrive at Colne Market Hall by 2pm, where they will be given a heroes’ welcome.

Joe, 28, of Colne, served in the Army for two-and-a-half years, but left earlier this year after suffering an injury playing regimental football.

The former Colne Park High School pupil said: “It was my idea to do this.

"I wanted to do it because I’ve got mates who have had their legs blown off and been injured in service. I will be doing more stuff in the future as well.”

Archie, 52, who served in the 1st Royal Tank Regiment between 1975 and 1986, was introduced to Joe by Colne councillor Neil Butterworth, who spent 15 years in the Royal Pioneer Corps serving in the Falklands and Northern Ireland before leaving in 1990.

Terry, 23, of Colne, who served in The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment between 2004 and 2005, is a keen cyclist.

As well as collecting sponsor-ship, he will have a collection box attached to his bike for people to donate as he carries out the challenge.

To sponsor any of the three, call Coun Butterworth on 07747 843186.