STAFF from two funeral directors have been gearing up to take part in a fund-raising relay for Worcester's St Richard's Hospice.

Brothers Darryl and Ashley Mogg, Shirley Phillips and Roger Rawle, of Worcester-based A V Band, were today due to join Hilary Al Rasheed and Christine Scully, from Holland Funeral Services, in Malvern, to take part in the event.

The relay is part of a larger event set to take place today which involves about 300 staff from 67 funeral homes across Wales and the south-west.

Staff at each funeral home will be fund-raising for their local hospices by travelling from their own funeral company to another one.

Hilary was scheduled for an early 5.30am start for the Worcestershire effort, walking from British Camp on the outskirts of Malvern Wells, past Holland Funeral Services, on Barnard's Green Road, to the Halfway House pub, on the A449, with her dog Gimli.

"I'm looking forward to it and what I lack in fitness I certainly make up for in determination," said Hilary.

Later today funeral service arranger Christine is due to take up the mantle, walking the remaining five miles to Worcester with her dog Graham.

Shirley, administration manager with A V Band, is preparing to meet Christine at Lower Wick in Worcester and walk the remaining three miles to A V Band, on St Nicholas Street.

A V Band community manager Darryl is then aiming to cycle from Worcester to Cheltenham with his brother Ashley, a funeral service operative.

Finally, Roger Rawle, funeral service operative with A V Band, is planning to cycle the remaining distance from Cheltenham to Gloucester, where another funeral home takes up the challenge.

"I'm really looking forward to it and looking forward to help others," said Darryl.

"I've been trying to get a bit of training in every evening now so I'm ready for it."