THE heat is on for charity trekkers as they prepare to cross Iceland's volcanic lava fields.

A trio of staff members from the Huddersfield chain of building material supplier Jewson will do battle with the elements as they hike over 50 kilometres - 31 miles - of the difficult terrain in aid of Cancer Research UK.

They are store facilities manager Hilary Rooke, Richard Baldus, the firm's property and development director, and Richard Hayne, a building surveyor.

On their five-day trip, beginning on July 6, they will face volcanic lakes, snowfields and steaming vents.

They will camp by night and test their fitness levels by day, conquering steep slopes, braving deep gorges and wading through rivers.

The trekkers face varied temperatures of below freezing at night but up to 13°C (55°F) during the day. They will join a team of 30 staff from across the UK to raise money for the company's nominated charity.

Cancer Research UK devised the organised corporate trek, which Jewson is taking part in for the second year running.

Hilary Rooke says they are unfazed by their upcoming trip.

She said: "Last year we represented our branch with a trek up Mount Toubkal, south of Marrakech in central Morocco, which at 4,165 metres (13,664ft) is the highest in North Africa.

"Before that trip we were a bit apprehensive because we didn't know what to expect.

"But having achieved that trek - which was extremely difficult - nothing can faze us now!

"The experience was fantastic and really worthwhile, so this year we are looking forward to the new challenge, in a totally different environment."

The team have been hard at work training, taking 12-mile walks and aiming to train for up to 10 hours a week nearer to the event.

All the trekkers will be well supported during their stay in Iceland, having guides and doctors with them.

Hilary added: "The trips are a great experience.

"But raising money for the charity is particularly meaningful to me because I lost my brother-in-law to cancer four years ago."

The Huddersfield branch team have raised £5,500 so far but hope to better, or even exceed the £8,000 they raised last year.

The entire company team raised £77,000 for Cancer Research UK.

This year's Iceland trek is being sponsored by the company's suppliers.