TWO teachers at a south Durham school are taking on gruelling sports challenges in the name of good causes.

Parkside Sports College’s Allan Langford, deputy headteacher, and Guy Gray, sport subject leader, are asking individuals or businesses to dig deep and sponsor them.

Mr Langford will take on the elements with a team of four others in the Lake District for the Race The Sun challenge.

The teams set off at sunrise and aim to finish by sunset, cycling 50 miles, climbing Helvellyn and canoeing Thirlmere.

“Mr brother roped me into joining the team after someone else dropped out,” he joked.

“So I’ll be climbing or crawling up Thirlmere and rolling back down.”

All funds the team raise on Saturday September 5 will go towards Action Medical Research - a charity dedicated to improving the health of babies and children.

Mr Gray plans to take on the Great North Run, the Great Bike Ride and the Great North Swim in the space of 21 days this year in a feat he has dubbed Guy’s Grayt North Challenge.

He has chosen Diabetes UK and the Arthritis Research Campaign as his mother suffers from both conditions.

He will also be raising money for Breast Cancer Care, as his mother in law had a double mastectomy last year, and the Intensive Care Unit at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

“When I was younger I was involved in a car accident and I was in a coma at the intensive care unit for ten days,” he said.

“So, obviously I’m indebted to them and this is a late, small token gesture.”

To sponsor Mr Gray go to www.justgiving.com and search for Guy’s Grayt North Challenge or to help Mr Langford’s charity visit www.action.org.uk/sponsor/provectus2009.