Chesterton fitness fanatics will hit the wall - to save a wall!

George Simpson, Stephen Hughes, Trevor Gibbs and Mike Wood, who live in Chesterton, are in training for a 110-mile bike ride and 26-mile run to help raise the £16,000 needed to mend the wall that sits by their village church.

Starting by pedalling their way from Harbury to Broadway in the Cotswolds, the hardy fitness fanatics will repeat the round trip, before pounding the pavements around the Thwaites Estate in Harbury - two laps of which will make up 26 miles.

The men will then join in a community tug of war at the Old New Inn in Harbury, where there will also be a live band and barbecue during the afternoon.

And why? Fellow villager Rachel Davies, who has joined a fundraising team, explained: “The wall at the church is opposite a lake and the setting is very beautiful. It’s made of a special stone and it’s a listed site.

“It seems an extraordinary amount of money but it will require a lot of work – the bit that has collapsed is probably a six or seven-metre stretch.”

In fact the people of Chesterton love their wall so much that even six-year-old Ben has decided to donate all £200 of his birthday money to the cause, which has been given the title, ‘The hole in the wall campaign’.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Simpson and others in their challenge, which takes place on Saturday September 10, should call Lyn on 07759 454195. People of all ages are encouraged to take part in the tug of war.

There will also be an open event at the church in Chesterton on September 10 and 11, with stalls, books, hot drinks and cakes from 10am to 4pm on both days, with all proceeds going towards the campaign.