A TEAM of Scout leaders from York have volunteered to take part in an epic physical challenge to raise money to buy a minibus.

Dozens of teams from various organisations from across the country have entered the Drambuie Pursuit, which sees sponsored teams race across Scotland, but require public votes to get to the opening stage.

1st Holgate Scouts leaders Stuart Jones, Tim Hodge, Craig Haggart and Chris Rodaway have entered the challenge and yesterday had 579 votes on the event’s website, putting them in sixth place in the table.

Mr Jones said: “Only six teams are selected to take part in this amazing event in which people must cycle, run, climb, sail and drive across Scotland.

“Our Scout group are hoping to raise £10,000 to buy our first ever minibus, so if we manage to come top of the public vote this money will go towards that total.”

The group’s leaders and members have produced a short comedy video in which it states the Scouts “desperately need a minibus”.

The video has been posted on youtube to encourage the city’s residents to vote for them.

The team with the most votes wins £2,500 for its chosen charity.

Mr Jones said he hoped the challenge would inspire the younger members of the Scout group as well as earning funds for the minibus.

He said: “We don’t know exactly what the challenge will entail, but it will be amazing to take part. The main thing is to get the money, but we want to inspire the kids as well.”

The public vote is free, but only open to over-18s, online at < ahref="http://www.drambuie.co.uk/teams/">drambuie.co.uk/teams/ until noon on Wednesday.