Three staff at Kirkwood Hospice took on a gut-busting challenge that was all in a day’s work.

Jim Coward, 28, Siobhan Hooper, 33, and Emily Kennedy, 22, were faced with a mammoth feast to raise money – and awareness – for the Dalton-based hospice.

The plucky trio took part in the Ultimate Burger Challenge at the Cotton Factory in Huddersfield.

All three were hungry for success – but none managed to polish off the seven burgers, two chicken breasts, two buckets of chips, onion rings and sides, all spiced with a Firecracker chilli relish.

Media and marketing manager Jim said: “I had starved myself all morning and thought I was ready for it but my eyes were greedier than my belly.”

Admin assistant Siobhan and North Kirklees fundraiser Emily surrendered just over halfway but Jim munched through six of the seven burgers.

“I was eating for a good 50 minutes but by the end it was getting cold and I just physically couldn’t eat any more,” said Jim.

The trio raised more than �100 for the hospice but, just as important, they wanted to promote this year’s Make a Difference Day (MADD), to be held on November 1.

You don’t have to be MADD but it helps.

The hospice hopes fundraisers will come up with some crazy events as well as some more ‘normal’ activities to boost hospice coffers.

On the day the hospice will host a bucking bronco challenge and Jim said: “We hope people will use their imagination.

“The events don’t have to be daft. Cake stalls or coffee mornings are great too.”

As an incentive every £1 raised at a MADD event will earn a free entry in the Make a Difference Day Super Draw.

The draw will be made on December 20 and the winner picks up a cool £3,000 just in time for Christmas.

Becci Diffley, deputy manager at the Cotton Factory, said she wasn’t surprised the trio were out-faced.

“Only five people have ever managed to complete it,” she said. “It’s a big ask.”

For more information on Make a Difference Day visit www.kirkwoodhospice.co.uk or call Dawn Walker on 01484 557913.