THREE friends battled through a 21km obstacle course to raise more than £500 for charity.

The trio, from Tow Law, travelled to Pippingford Park in East Sussex to join in the Spartan Beast race, where they finished the course in four hours and 50 minutes.

Nic Flynn, 24, was inspired to raise money for Parkinson’s UK after his grandmother suffered from the disease before she passed away earlier this year.

He said: “It was my idea to do this particular obstacle course. I did a shorter version of it in when I was in Australia and really enjoyed it so thought we could do this one and raise money for charity.”

The group, including Stephen Cox, 26, and Mark Johnson, 25, jumped through fire, climbed several hundred metres up a hill beneath barbed wire and swam through cold muddy ponds during the event on Sunday, October 12.

Mr Cox added: “It was really tough, but it was good fun. We were motivating each other all the way through. We’re all covered in bruises and I couldn’t bend my leg for a few days after it.”

The men were each given a medal and a t-shirt for completing the race, and plan on taking part again next year.

To donate to the trio, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TeamDelta