FORMER Hartlepool United player David Piggott, is hoping to tackle the challenge of a lifetime in the Borneo rainforest in June.

He has the opportunity to join a team run by one of five ex-professionals taking part in the Professional Football Association's Soccer Legends Challenge to raise funds for the Children Today charity.

Brian Kilcline (ex-Newcastle United), Alan Kennedy (ex-Liverpool), Arthur Albiston (ex-Manchester United), Neville Southall (ex-Everton) and Paul Jones (ex-Bolton Wanderers) are representing a team from the town or city of the club they played for and money raised by each team will go to meet the needs of disabled children in those places.

Mr Piggott, now working in the audiology department at The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, will be in Brian Kilcline's team and needs to raise at least £3,500 to secure his place.

He said: "This is a chance to do something I really enjoy and help a really good cause and give something back to the people who supported me during my career."

The challenge will pit the footballers and their teams against each other in a series of challenging events, including cycling along jungle paths, climbing South East Asia's highest peak, raft racing and abseiling.

Along the route, they will learn jungle survival skills, sleep under the stars and raise thousands of pounds to support the work of the children's charity.

Anyone wanting to sponsor Mr Piggott is asked to contact him on (01642) 854051.