A GROUP of Winchester supermarket workers are set for the challenge of a lifetime.

Winchester Marks & Spencer employees Tom Richmond, Callum Barnes and Ashley Soul, along with former employee Tom Bray, will drive more than 2,000 miles across India in a motorised rickshaw in April to raise money for charity.

They aim to raise £4,500 to be split equally between children’s charity UNICEF and FRANK Water, which provides clean water in India.

Mr Soul, 22, of Highcroft Road, Winchester, said: “We have wanted to do something for a while for charity and were looking for the most adventurous thing to do. Then my friend Tom (Bray) came back from travelling in India and suggested it and we thought it would be great.”

Mr Richmond, 21, of Victoria Road, Bishop’s Waltham, added: “I cannot even imagine what it is going to be like in the rickshaw, which is only meant for three people, particularly as we will all have luggage too. It’s going to be tough but we are looking forward to it.”

The four set off from Kochi on April 5 and aim to finish in Shillong by April 21, driving for 14 hours per day and camping each night.

They have been given time off by M&S while staff have been very supportive, raising just under £500 towards their target.

Mr Barnes, 21, of Fivefields Road, Highcliffe, added: “We are all doing our own things as well after we come back, like I will be running a triathlon, so we can keep the momentum going and keep raising money for charity. We are even holding a bake sale which might not be quite so tiring.”

Store manager Liz Cookson said: “I think this is really admirable that they are doing this and we have all been really impressed by them.”

To donate visit justgiving/com/Ashley-Soul or fundraise.unicef.org.uk/MyPage/Ashley-Soul-Rickshaw-Run.