VETS and vet nurses from Mauchline’s MBM outlet will swap their trademark boiler suits for sleek Lycra for a gruelling outdoor challenge.

They will join staff members from the group’s other two branches to take part in an energy-sapping three-part event to raise money for Guide Dogs For The Blind.

Prior to that, they will stage a charity race night at Hurlford Community Centre on Friday, August 19, at 8pm, which will help support those taking on the challenge next month.

MBM Veterinary Group’s dauntless dozen will travel to the Lake District where they will split into two teams of six.

Their first challenge is a 10km hike to the summit of Old Man Coniston, followed by negotiating a 12km forest mountain bike course and finishing with a one-mile kayak along Coniston water.

With a minimum £4000 fund-raising target to aim for, colleagues in MBM’s Kilmarnock and Beith surgeries are getting firmly behind the team, including vet Judy Morris.

She said: “We have many blind or partially-sighted clients, so we are very aware of the real benefits that guide dogs bring to their lives.

“The effort and resources needed to train these fantastic dogs are substantial and are supported entirely by charitable donations.”

Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA) is a UK-wide charitable organisation founded in 1934, providing independence and freedom to thousands of blind and partially sighted GDBA trains puppies from birth for two years before they are ready to partner with a visually-impaired person.

The lifetime cost for each working guide dog is approximately £50,000 and the charity receives no government funding.

William Hunter was told in 2000 that he would be registered blind and has praised the support he has received from the charity.

He said: “I had a loss of confidence and became a bit of a recluse, and only went out when someone could take me.

“I was on first name terms with most of the lampposts in the area, I had bumped into them that often. Getting a guide dog changed all that and gave me back my independence.”

Tickets for the race night cost £5, including supper, and you can buy your own racehorse, win prizes and enjoy all the atmosphere of the races.

For further information and tickets go to www.mbmvetgroup.co.uk/news or call MBM Vets on 01563 522701.

One of Ayrshire’s oldest veterinary practices, MBM offers first opinion and referral veterinary services by pet, farm animal and equine departments.