GUTSY Gornal couple Rob and Lisa Edwards plan to put themselves through the mill to make money for two charities close to their heart.

They intend to complete six gruelling challenges and raise over £1,000, starting next month when they tackle the longest assault course in the world by contesting Rat Race's Dirty Weekend at Burghley House.

A total of 200 obstacles await them including the the world's longest set of monkey bars and cat crawl.

Lisa Edwards, who is 34, said: "People must think we're mental and to be honest the prospect of competing in these events is a bit frightening. But the worse the conditions are, the more money I'm likely to raise."

She has already contested the BirminghamHalf Marathon and has also lined up the Race for Life at Himley Park, Stafford Half Marathon and the Man v Mountain event which comprises of a 20-mile run around Snowdon.

Lisa, from Lower Gornal, was driven to take on the charity challenges as her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and her best friend Nina Gayden suffered the heartache of having a stillborn daughter.

As a result, Lisa is bidding to boost the funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and SANDS, a stillbirth and neonatal death charity which supported her friend throughout her loss.

She added: "I just wanted to do something to help her and raise awareness, but when I look at what's ahead I wonder why on earth I ever agreed to do it.

"The only time I ran in a race before was in the 2009 Manchester 10km. I didn't enjoy the experience and said never again. Now I'm back.

"What training can you possibly do to negotiate a set of monkey bars?"

The pair run an online retail website from their home in Ruiton Street and Lisa said: "It's useful because it means we can train when we want. But I must admit to getting a bit nervous as the Rat Race gets nearer. I'm not setting a time or anything like that, I'm just looking to complete as these charities are so important to us as a family."

All money raised will be split 50/50 between the two charities.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Lisa and Rob can do so via online site http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Edwards14