WORKMATES have completed two gruelling challenges for charity.

Staff from Durham-based property and energy firm The Banks Group tackled the Druridge Bay 10k run in Northumberland and the Total Warrior event in Leeds.

They raised around £2,500 for Banks’ chosen charity for the year, Chester-le-Street-based Integrating Children, taking the total for the first six months of the year to £9,200.

Lewis Stokes, one of those involved, said: “It’s safe to say that Total Warrior was unlike anything that any of us has ever seen before and it wasn’t long before all of us were caked in mud and soaked to the skin.

“But the camaraderie between all the competitors was fantastic and it was a great feeling to get everyone over the line, even though we are all sporting various bumps and bruises.

“Both the financial and moral support we’ve had from friends, family and colleagues through these fundraising challenges has been wonderful and we’re also very grateful to Workwear Express for kitting us out so well for Total Warrior.”

Durham-based Workwear Express donated branded T-shirts to the Total Warrior squad.