Staff and volunteers at Kent & East Sussex Railway (KESR) are going the extra mile – or 100 miles – for charity.

A team of 10 are tackling a 100-mile pump trolley challenge along the railway line from Tenterden to Bodiam and back.

They are raising money for Comic Relief on Red Nose Day, which is on Friday, March 13.

Pump trolleys, once used for ferrying track maintenance crews around railways, have appeared in films and TV shows, often giving a comic touch to scenes featuring trains.

In the KESR team are James Taylor, Jamie Douglas, Richard Stone, Andy Hardy, Debbie Kilgannon, Rosemary Geary, Jack Ticehurst, Dan Dickson, Jonathon Marsh and the railway’s events co-ordinator Jemma Hosmer.

They will have to do the return trip five times to get to 100 miles.

Five of them took the railway’s repainted and suitably decorated trolley for a trail run from Tenterden to Bodiam and back to Rolvenden.

Andy, the railway’s operating assistant, said it was a good effort.

“We did nearly 20 miles and we are confident that we can make our target of 100 miles on the day,” he added.

Jemma said: “The railway is pleased to be able to hold an event in aid of Comic Relief.

“To tackle 100 miles on a pump trolley is going to take some considerable effort from all those taking part, especially when it comes to climbing some of the railway’s steeper gradients.

“We are all up for giving it our best and I am hoping none of us will run out of puff.”

She added: “To be able to do something for children that are less fortunate than most will give us a great deal of pleasure.

“We have already raised £500 in sponsorship and are looking forward to making our contribution.”

Anyone wanting to make a donation can go to my.rednoseday.com/sponsor/KESRPT100?fb_ref=Default