A Hampshire sales manager is taking on a challenge so difficult it was designed by the Special Forces.

Ben Hollyer attempts the “Tough Mudder” course at the Matterley Bowl near Winchester on June 8.

It is a 12-mile course that tests strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie, with obstacles including 30ft jumps, swimming under ice and electric shocks.

Ben, 33, of Downs Road, South Wonston, is running in aid of the Ollie Young Foundation, a brain tumour charity set up in memory of a six-year-old who died of the condition in 2012 just 12 weeks after first showing symptoms.

The event itself raises money for Help for Heroes, but Ollie was the cousin of one of Ben’s colleagues so he decided to run for the foundation.

Ben, who has a two-year-old daughter, Martha, said: “As a father I cannot begin to imagine the emotions Ollie’s family would have gone through. I watched my colleague go through that and I thought raising money for the charity would be a good thing to do.

“It’s the first big event I’ve ever done, although I am doing some 10K races to prepare.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/Ben-Hollyer.