Friends of a young dad who died in a lake accident are to take on a Tough Mudder challenge in his memory.

Lee Sellers, Alex Walton, Oliver Fry, Ricky Dobkin and Luke Evans have signed up for the endurance obstacle course for their childhood friend Shane Gray, from Leysdown, who died while working at Lakeside Holiday Park, near Chichester, last July.

The team are also raising money for the 27-year-old’s children, Parker, one, and three-month-old Blakely.

Paige Eden, a friend of Shane’s who set up a JustGiving page on behalf of the group last Wednesday, said: “The boys don’t want any credit for this, they are just doing what they think is the right thing to do for their friend and they want to make things as easy as possible for Shane’s partner Dannielle.”

The fundraising page has so far raised over £300 and, with off-line donations including £500 from James Gilchrist of Beechhall Joinery, Paige believes the total so far stands at about £1,000.

The 26-year-old said: “The money is about setting Dannielle and the children up for their future.

“It takes a lot to raise children, the boys know that and want to help take the pressure off.

“No amount of money is going to bring their dad back, but it will make things a little bit easier.”

The men, who knew Shane from when they were about 10 years old, are due to take on Tough Mudder in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on Saturday, May 4.

Paige said: “We’d like to thank everyone who has already donated, it’s much appreciated.”

Dannielle said his childhood friends were amazing to take on the challenge in his memory and to help provide a future for his children. She added: “I cannot thank them enough to even think about doing something like this.

“They didn’t have to and I know in the future our beautiful children will appreciate everything everyone has done for them.”

To support the fundraising, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Sheerness