Members of Lancashire Fire and Rescue are going the extra mile, 16 in fact, to raise money for the South Asia earthquake appeal.

A team of 12 will be running a 16 mile distance in the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen on Monday 19 June. They will stop for refreshments and charitable donations at 11 high schools in the area.

The South Asia Earthquake charity 'school' run will start at 9am with the first pitstop at Darwen Moorland High School with hopes of finishing by 5pm at Witton Park Business and Enterprise College in time for their sports day.

Six members of the Lancashire Fire and Rescue team will be wearing the orange search and rescue suits, that they themselves wore, at the disaster zone. Dave Widdop (pictured), a member of the UK Search and Team (UKSART) who flew to the disaster on 8 October 2005, said:, "The two main roads to the area where our team were deployed were blocked by mudslides and landslides.

"We flew the 30 minute journey by helicopter the closer we were to our destination the more apparant the earthquake's destruction became."

Naveed Sharif, who has raised money for cancer research in the past, will be running to help the survivors of the earthquake that struck North Pakistan in 2005.

Naveed Sharif, qualified Firemen and Community Outreach Officer, said: "Many people in the Blackburn with Darwen have been hit by the disaster as many have relatives in the affected area.

Survivors of the earthquake still need as much help as possible."

UKSART carried out 14 successful live rescues in the five days they were in Pakistan.

Dave Widdop said: "We worked on hospitals and schools, the majority of casualties were women and children.

"It was at 8.30am during the month of Ramadan women were at home and on a Saturday when children were at school."

"We had a very experienced team you have to remain detatched and professional.

"Although it was the worst of nature it brought out the best of human nature."

Naveed Sharif said: "The South Asian Charity 'school' run is a positive way of raising money, it involves the whole community working together.

"The run creates a link between all the schools that have raised money for a common cause."

They hope to raise between £20,000- £25,000.

Funds raised by Lancashire Fire and Rescue, a member of the Local Strategic Partnership, will go towards providing support and rebuilding lives of those whose plight is far from over.

Naveed said: "I would like everyone in the community to get involved to raise as much money as possible so we can help as many people as possible."

Members of the public can also make donations by calling 0207 436 6000. Lines do not close until Friday 30 June.

Asian Image will be on hand to picture Naveed throughout his run.