A BUNCH of 'rookies' from Leominster are setting off at the weekend to go through their paces on the gruelling Royal Marines endurance course at Exmouth.

As she crawls through the tunnels and ponds on the course, Leominster accountant Katrina Clegg, 31, her parents, a cousin and friends, will be motivated by the memory of a brave boy.

Katrina's son James Jones died nearly a year ago, aged 11, from brain cancer. "He lived life to the full and never complained, despite all he had to endure," said Katrina, who set up the James Jones Brain Tumour Trust.

James underwent brain surgery for a tumour, after cancer was diagnosed when he was seven. He spent two years in remission but the disease returned and could not be halted despite intensive chemotherapy.

James fought on for nearly two years never letting the disease stop him from doing more than doctors thought possible.

Katrina and her fellow 'rookies' are out to raise funds for research into treatment for brain cancer. They are steeling themselves for a tough time on Sunday in the James Jones Brain Tumour Trust Royal Marines Endurance Course Challenge 2003.

The course, which is normally only tackled by marines out to gain their green berets after 22 weeks of training, will take around two hours to negotiate.

Money raised will be split between research and for equipment to help terminally ill children receiving palliative care at home.

l The James Jones Brain Tumour Trust welcomes support c/o Katrina Clegg, 23 John Abel Close, Leominster HR6 88G.