A team of four Worcestershire businessmen gearing up to 'Race the Sun' has already smashed its fundraising target.

The group, known as 'Team Unity', is preparing for a triathlon-style race in the Lake District on Tuesday, October 8.

Participants include Matt Nicol, owner of estate agents Nicol & Co, Adam Smith, director at Financial Advice Centre Ltd, Ben Wood, co-founder of Cab Studios, and Piers Thompson, director at GJS - The House Surveyors.

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Originally, the team aimed to raise £4,000 for Action Medical Research, a charity funding medical discoveries for more than 70 years.

However, the team has smashed the goal, and are already approaching the new benchmark of £5,000.

Action Medical Research has been behind several significant medical advances over the years, such as developing the first oral polio vaccine in the UK, ultrasound technology advancement in pregnancy, rubella vaccine testing, and effective campaigns to minimise the risk of stillbirth.

Currently, their funding supports investigations into diseases including asthma, epilepsy, and leukaemia.

For Mr Nicol this cause is particularly personal, as both of his children were born prematurely.

His son Charlie, now 13, was born at 36 weeks and his daughter Maisie, now 11, at 34 weeks.

Mr Nicol said: "The research and discoveries by charities like Action Medical Research are literally lifesaving.

"This just made us even more determined to succeed and raise as much money as possible."

In addition to contributing towards the £180,000 already raised by the upcoming event, the team will face a very challenging task.

The day consists of a 17.5-mile cycle, an 11-mile hike that includes a climb to the summit of Lattrig, and a two-mile kayak race.

Lucy Holloway, corporate fund raiser at Action Medical Research, said: "We are so looking forward to our upcoming Race The Sun Keswick On Road event.

"We could not do this without the support of our incredible supporters such as Team Unity, who make it possible to enable us to continue funding vital research to help sick and disabled babies, children and young people."

Donate to Team Unity's just giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/team/unityfitness.