CHILDHOOD friends are embarking on a 100km journey to raise money for charity.

Tom Lunn, from Winnersh, Matt Shotton, from Arborfield, Callum O’Connor, from Arborfield, and Max Squires, from Wokingham, are all walking from London to Brighton to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

The friends – who all except Mr O’Connor went to the Forest School in Winnersh – are taking on the challenge inspired by various family members.

Signing up for mammoth trek in January..

Mr Lunn, 20, a games tester, said: “I’ve done a few fun runs before but nothing like this. We all just decided a few months ago that we really wanted to do something for charity.

“The name came about while we were just messing around with some ideas and it stuck! My family thinks we’re mad.

“Lots of people do marathons, but we wanted to do something a bit different.” Taking place in late June, the friends will complete the challenge come rain or shine they said.

Mr Shotton, 20, a restaurant worker, said: “I’m looking forward to it but I should start stepping up my training. I’ve never done anything like this. We will carry on regardless no matter how things go, but I’m hoping we can do it in under 30 hours.

“I’m looking forward to the personal achievement and also being able to help others and raise money.” With a target time of under 30 hours, they are aiming to raise £1,000 – £250 each.

Mr Squires, 19, a student, said: “I’ve done stuff like climbing mountains before, and we were all talking about doing something and just decided on this. We’re a really tight knit group so it’s great we’re all doing it together, we’ll all motivate each other to finish.

“We might do something again – I think it depends how this one goes!” They all said that a trip to pub would be top of their list for when they finish.

Mr O’Connor, 21, who works in game development, said: “We’re a really close group, we won’t leave anyone behind. I’m hoping the weather will be nice but it will probably be one of the extremes! My family think I won’t finish but I’ll prove them wrong!” To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/TomLunn