THEY might have to sweat a bit, but at least they'll look smart, because the group of Worcester business people who are taking on a series of tough challenges for charity have decided to call themselves the Tuxedo Challenge Team. The title is aimed to reflect the clothing worn during or after each challenge, with a total target of £15,000 to be split between St Richard’s Hospice and Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Training and events have started with Lisa Kemp of mfg Solicitors having completed the Manchester Marathon on April 6, the same day Lauren Tunnicliffe from Sanlam completed the Sheffield half-marathon. Members of the team are planning to run in other races including the Worcester half-marathon and the Crowle Gun Powder Plot in May.

They take on a less serious challenge on Tuesday, June 10, when they are under starter’s orders for the Worcester Racecourse panto horse race, which will see 12 horses taking part during the evening race meeting. Ten of the team are also set to run the Great North Run, a half marathon between Newcastle and South Shields on September 7.

The teams includes Lance Turner, director of Harris Lamb property consultancy; Robin Mayo of Handelsbanken, Duncan Sutcliffe of Sutcliffe & Co insurance brokers, Greg Turner, Laura Gurney and Lauren Tunnicliffe of Sanlam UK, Lisa Kemp of mfg solicitors, Mark Ellis and Michelle Chamberlain of Thursfields Solicitors and Stacey Redman from SME Solicitors.

Mr Turner explained: “It’s so encouraging to be working with such a dedicated team and we look forward to the receiving the support of the community at our fundraising events all of which are planned to be fun and entertaining.” Mr Mayo added: "Both St Richard's Hospice and Acorns Children's Hospice provide valuable care and support for patients and families and as a team we were unanimous in wanting to raise money through a number of events to help their causes.”

Rachel Jones of St Richard’s Hospice said: “The Tuxedo challenge is a fantastic way to get the team involved in lots of activities, pushing themselves to the limit but with a dash of fun in the panto horse race. We are really grateful for all their fundraising which will help us continue to fund our care and support of patients and their families.”

For more information or to support the team, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TuxedoChallengeTeamWorcester . Anyone who wants to enter a team in the panto horse race can contact Rachel Jones at St Richard’s Hospice on rjones@strichards.org.uk.