Two fundraisers will be taking part in a gruelling 140 mile Iron Man triathlon in 30 degree heat this summer to raise money for Meningitis UK.

Luke Perry, 24, from Earlsfield, and Max Rogers, 23, from Walton, will be competing in the Iron Man, Nice competition, in the south of France, on June 23.

It will involve an exhausting 2.6mile swim, followed by a lungbusting 112 mile cycle and finishing off with a brutal 26.2 mile marathon run.

But the pair, who will be up against amateur and professional triathletes, will have to complete all three events before a 16 hour cut-off.

In order to be in prime condition for the endurance event they have embarked on a punishing training programme.

The duo, who have formed the IMpulse team for the contest, will train for six days a week, over 24 weeks - putting in more than 1,500 hours of graft and thousands of miles of road work.

Mr Perry said: "We are doing this in the aid of two fantastic charities; Meningitis UK and Shooting Star CHASE.

"Meningitis UK is a charity close to our hearts as Max unfortunately contracted Meningitis on his first birthday and for the first 48 hours it was very much touch and go whether he survived.

"Fortunately he was able to get off ‘lightly’ with only impaired hearing in his left ear, as a result of the great treatment and support he received.

"In participating in this event and raising money for this great charity, we hope we can give others with meningitis the same chance that was given to Max by all the people that support the Meningitis charities."

The lads have been sponsored by local businessman, Max Whicher, who owns Bikes Direct Warehouse.

To sponsor or support Mr Perry and Mr Rogers visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/OnImpulse