A family taking on an ambitious challenge to raise money in memory of a loved one have leaped closer to their target.

Mike and Rich Heard, with uncle Terry Sparks, are hoping to raise £10,000 for Weldmar Hospicecare in memory of Michael Heard, Mike and Rich's dad and Terry's brother, who lost a short battle with lung cancer at the age of 63 in 2009.

To raise money the family, along with a team of friends, are retracing the famous Operation Frankton commando raid on German shipping in Bordeaux during the Second World War.

They are retracing the steps of the operation in memory of William “Bill” Sparks, Mike and Rich’s grandfather and Terry’s dad, who was a British Royal Marine Commando and one of only two survivors of the mission.

The team have been busy fundraising and have now raised over £1,000 towards their target, thanks to a successful bake sale at South Walks House council offices in Dorchester, which raised £211.

Rich, 35, said: “The cake sale was organised by Mike Hale who works at the council, and he has another one planned for next month.

“Things are slowly picking up, all in we have just gone over £1,200. The team has been busy putting in the training ready to take on the equivalent of seven marathons in seven days

“The Marines have kindly loaned us Klepper folding kayaks which are the modern equivalent of the 'Cockles' that were used in the original raid.

“We are quickly coming round to show time but still have a lot to do.”

Starting on September 30, the crew will paddle from the Gironde to Bordeaux, a total of approximately 90 miles, before hiking on to Ruffec, a further 110 miles on land. A support crew will be there to help them along the way, on land and at sea.

The group think the challenge will take around nine days to complete. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the mission.

Rich said the group are still on the hunt for a minibus, as well as support from local businesses and ferry companies to get them there, and are appealing for as much help as they can get.

They will host a bingo night on Friday, September 1 at Willowbed Hall in Chickerell, with doors opening at 7pm. The team will also have a stand at Weldmar's summer fete at the Joseph Weld Hospice on Saturday, September 9.

Find out more at www.frankton75th.co.uk, and donate to the team at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/frankton75inthefootstepsofourgrandfather.