ROLL out the barrel – and help raise money for a Weymouth charity.

There will be barrel rolling and swash-buckling aplenty this month as people take part in a charity challenge to raise money for the MV Freedom and Help for Heroes.

The Weymouth-based boat gives disabled and able-bodied people the chance to experience the joys of the sea and the annual barrel rolling challenge from Dartmoor to Weymouth is one of the main events in their calendar.

Taking place over the weekend of September 15-16, teams have to work together to roll a barrel across Dartmoor before making their way back to Weymouth on Sunday.

When they get back to the King’s Arms on Weymouth harbourside teams will have to muster all their strength as they engage in a final battle – to roll their barrel from Hope Square back to the pub and claim ultimate victory.

The barrel roll is due to take place about 3.45pm on Sunday, September 16.

Fancy dress is a must and pirate costumes are always popular.

Jenie Jackson from the MV Freedom said it would be a fantastic weekend and that they were still looking for people to take part.

She described the event as ‘nutters running across the moors with beer barrels’.

She said: “It’s not a race, it’s a challenge. There’s no prize but the challenge is to get your barrel from Dartmouth to Weymouth.

“On Saturday we are going from a pub on Dartmoor and the teams have to transport their barrel across the moors to enjoy an evening of live music from Finnian McGurk and there will be a raffle.”

Then on Sunday teams have to get their barrel back to Weymouth.

Mrs Jackson said: “It’s mad. It’s a really lovely community thing. There are so many people from different walks of life and different businesses that all come together.”

She added: “We need lots of people to come down on the day and cheer the teams in. It’s really nice when they have all made the effort and there are loads of people cheering them in.”

The party will continue into the evening on Sunday with live music from Sheryl Lee and the Wareham Wailers shanty team.

Mrs Jackson said: “We want to raise whatever we can.”

To take part in the barrel roll challenge look at the website mvfreedom.co.uk