IN A moment of sheer madness, a group of brave young ladies known as ‘The Nightingales’ signed themselves up to the Grim Challenge on December 6.

The Challenge is an eight-mile obstacle run replete with sloppy mud, mucky water and obstructive cargo nets.

NIGHTINGALES – often up with the lark with their work

The Nightingales – Stephanie T, Stephanie K, Sophie, Charlotte, Emily, Cat and Sarah – all work together on the neo-natal intensive care unit of St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey, providing round-the-clock care for sick and premature newborns.

There’s is the only neo-natal unit in the county with the equipment, skills and experience needed to nurture the very sickest and smallest babies. Because of this, parents often have to travel long distances to be with their infant, and can spend months at the unit.

All the money the nurses raise will go directly to the Early Births Fund, the unit’s own charity, and sponsorship and donations are currently being sought.

YOU can sponsor and donate via JustGiving (www.justgiving.com/thenightingales). Be assured that when you donate, JustGiving will send your money straight to the charity, so helping to slash the charity’s own costs.