A TEAM of intrepid adventurers are using the South Lakes as their training base for an arduous mission to help give something back to countries who helped Britain to victory in World War II.

Anthony Lamacraft, of Windermere, Sean Babar, of Kendal, and their pal Ben Dobbs, of London, want to set up new branches of Samaritans Africa to help depressed and suicidal people in those countries which provided funding for Spitfire fighter planes.

Alongside three more friends, they will travel to Africa to climb Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya back to back to raise as much money as possible for Samaritans Africa.

They want to set up branches of the charity in every African nation - 21 in total - that donated money for the Spitfires.

Ben said: “Our goal is to expand the charity and set up branches of Samaritans Africa in Tanzania, Garna, Botswana and Lesetho.

“From there we will expand again and again until all 21 countries have Samaritans branches.

“We want to try to show our gratitude in return for the help given to our country - suicide has become a problem in these countries so we feel that helping to set up Samaritans charities there would make a difference.

Discussing the motivation behind their fundraising, Ben added: “In 1880, the British army fought with the natives of Basutoland (now known as Lesotho) in the Basuto Gun War.

“The British wanted to colonise part of the country but wanted the natives to surrender their firearms, so they went to war with them.

“Despite Britain doing this, 30 years later we said to the people of Basutoland, ‘we need your help’ to fund our Spitfires.

“In total they paid for 24 Spitfires, at a cost of £5,000 each - the equivalent of £200,000 today. This was totally disproportionate to the wealth of the country.“

To sponsor the lads, contact 07825 775694 or email ben@samaritansafrica.com

For more information visit http://samaritansafrica.com/