A FORMER soldier is leading a 30-mile endurance challenge to raise money for the hurricane-hit Caribbean.

Huddersfield grandfather Godfrey Muhammad wants people to join him for the fun run in aid of the Caribbean Rebuilding Fund.

"We want to make Christmas bearable for the survivors of Hurricane Ivan and I would ask as many people as possible to take part. You don't need to be an athlete just fit enough to tackle the challenge," said Mr Muhammad, 43, of Trinity Street.

The father-of -four is a member of the Northern Region Study Guide Group, a voluntary community group.

He is aiming to raise awareness with the African Caribbean Trust Community of Kirklees (Act) about the devastation caused by hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne.

The Caribbean Rebuilding Fund aims to raise money and collect clothing and food for people most badly affected on the islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Hispaniola.

Mr Muhammad's mother, Elaine Romain, lives in Carriacou, but her home was spared any major damage from the hurricanes.

The Endurance Challenge will start from the Hudawi Community Centre in Great Northern Street, Hillhouse, at 8am on Saturday, December 4. The circular route will include Leeds, Bradford and Pudsey.

Mr Muhammad, who is married to Mycil, served with the Royal Signals for 10 years.

He is no stranger to fundraising and has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the past 12 years.

In 1992, he walked to London with Huddersfield man Robinson Benjamin to raise money for a minibus for elderly people attending the Hudawi Centre.

In 1994, he reversed the trip, walking between London and Huddersfield with a group over six days and raising cash for African relief.

Mr Muhammad was also among a group who ran to Castle Hill in 2000, raising around £700 for the African Caribbean Leukaemia Research Fund.

And in April last year he took part in a gruelling six-day marathon through the Sahara Desert in Morocco, raising hundreds of pounds for a residential home at Top Hill in Carriacou.

An all-day fundraising event is being held at the Hudawi Centre on the same day as the challenge. It will include stalls, entertainment and food.

Since the appeal was launched this month donations have been flooding into the Hudawi Centre and other drop-off points.

Money can be paid into the Caribbean Rebuilding Fund account at the National Westminister Bank. The sort code is 536107 and the account number is 61071978.

Anyone wanting to take part in the challenge, or help with the fundraising event, should contact the Northern Region Study Guide Group on 07940713897.