Like many great ideas, it was dreamt up after a few drinks.

And now a group of friends from Thetford are hoping their plan to take on a gruelling challenge will raise thousands of pounds for a hospital's children's ward.

Mark Dean, Frankie Dean, Stuart Harvey, Darren Clay, Jody Twomey, Tony Cornwall, Wayne Harvey, Andrew Keavey, Stuart Clay, James Wells and Stacy Brammall are taking on the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for West Suffolk Hospital's Rainbow Ward.

The June 17 event will see the eleven men tackle the three UK peaks - Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon - in as short a time as they can.

They will scale more than 10,000ft, with each mountain being the highest peak in their respective countries.

Mark Dean said the idea was born at his 33rd birthday celebrations.

'We were in The Mulberry in Thetford and were talking about how we are all either over 30 or getting there, and if we were getting a bit old.

'I said I would still be up for a challenge, and mentioned the Three Peaks Challenge.

'Someone said 'go on then, do it', and that was it. Next thing you know, we had all agreed we would give it a go,' he said.

Once the gauntlet had been laid down, the group decided to do it for charity.

With many of them having young children, the Rainbow Ward was quickly settled on. Some in the group had also spent time there as children, Mr Dean added.

'Most of us are young fathers and have had children on that ward.

'The work they do there is so great, and as a parent they make you feel incredibly welcome if your child is there. They make a real difference,' he said.

He said the training had also given them a chance to see more of each other.

'We're all working hard and having families, and getting time together isn't always the easiest.

'This has given us all something in common to focus on,' he said.

An auction has already seen the group raise £1,000.

Collection buckets have been placed in businesses around Thetford, including the Green Dragon, Black Horse, The Mulberry, Ace Tanning and Style Lounge.

To donate, you can text THET65 with the amount you would like to donate to 70070.

You can also click here to donate.

Are you taking on a challenge for charity? Email tbw.news@archant.co.uk