FAMILY and friends of an inspirational young Herefordshire man who died earlier this year are taking on a gruelling challenge in his memory.

Jack Sanders, who grew up in Whitbourne, died in March aged 22 after a three-year battle against brain cancer.

He was treated at the Teenage Cancer Trust's young person's unit at Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital and his friends and family will raise money for the unit when they take on the Wolf Run in Leicestershire next month.

His best friend, Danni Francis, 19, is one of 13 members of the team 'Jack's Odd Socks' who will be taking part in the challenge which is a 10k run across raw natural terrain, including open ground, woodland, lakes and thick mud.

Miss Francis, who is also from Whitbourne and is currently completing an NVQ Level 3 in customer service at Allpay, was in a relationship with Mr Sanders for five years but when they split up last year they remained best friends.

She said: "Jack was a courageous, inspirational and extremely brave young man, he went through a lot in his life, yet did not once ask 'why me?' or complain.

"I am so proud have known him and to have been able to call him my best friend."

She added that both of Mr Sanders' parents died of cancer when he was young and said he was an 'amazing person' to have gone through what he did.

The team is called Jack’s Odd Socks and is made up of Danni Francis, Lauren MacKinnon, Matt Staff-Brett, Max Studer, Thomas Goodwin, Matt Murphy, Matt Milwain, Bradley Heason, Olly Swift, Ed Tong, Jock MacKinnon, Niall Hatton and Ryan Hatton.

They have already raised £4,243, flying past an initial target of £2,500, but are eager to continue and raise as much as possible to give something back to the charity that supported Mr Sanders.

Miss Francis' family is also holding a charity auction evening in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust on August 28 at The Pavilion in the Park, Worcester.

It will include a live band, buffet, auction, raffle and much more.

Tickets cost £10 – £5 will go to Teenage Cancer Trust and £5 will go towards the buffet – and tickets can be bought by calling Miss Francis on 07875342919 or by emailing dfrancis28@outlook.com

Visit justgiving.com/teams/jacksoddsocks to view the team page or visit Miss Francis' page at justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/jacksoddsockss to donate.