TWELVE team members from a Black Country vets are preparing to get down and dirty to raise money for a mental health charity.

The veterinary staff from Blacks Vets, which have five practices spread across the West Midlands, will be tackling the formidable Tough Mudder in Birmingham.

This gruelling half-marathon will take place at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, on September 7.

Participants will face a rigorous five-mile obstacle course, promising to flex not only their muscles but mental fortitude with a healthy dollop of mud and challenging terrains thrown in for good measure.

The team are hoping to raise at least £3,600 to support Mind, as Chelsea Moore, Blacks Vets coordinator, explained: "The veterinary industry is one of the most highly affected sectors with regard to poor mental health.

"We feel it is vital for the right support systems to be in place and to not make people feel ashamed for struggling.

"This is why we chose the charity Mind: it’s an outstanding cause.

"Their aim is to make support and help available to all via toolkits and online resources but by also signposting people in crisis to helplines and talking therapies.

"We would love to be able to raise as much money as we can and help Mind in their mission to help others and save lives."

The participants include two vets, four nurses, a group nursing manager, and five key support staff, all of which have never attempted a Tough Mudder before but maintain it is the taking part that counts.

Chelsea added: "We aren’t athletes by any means but it’s the taking part for us that counts and feeling like we have made a difference in raising this money by doing something out of our comfort zones but also having fun with it. 

"We have organised a Just Giving page for donations and anticipate everyone rallying behind our mission."

Donations can be made via the practice’s JustGiving page at justgiving.com/page/blacksvetsfundraisingmind.