DAVID Brown is used to mixing it on the oche with darts professionals but he is readying himself for a "mentally draining" 24-hour marathon in aid of three causes close to his heart.

David, from Sherdley Park, is to play darts throughout two 12-hour sessions over successive days for a mammoth fundraising challenge at the A180 darts shop on Folds Lane.

The proceeds from his efforts will be split three ways in aid of friend Lee Glover, who is fighting Ewing sarcoma, the family of Isaac Haggerty and the fund for four-year-old Jacob Smith who has leukaemia.

"I have played darts for a long time and have done marathons before but with teams, so it's a difficult challenge," said David, who is the brother of St Helens professional Alan Tabern.

"It's going to be mentally draining, it is to raise funds for families that are quite close to me. Lee has been battling for about a year. My niece has had a child with him so he's like family to me and we played darts together at the old Eccleston Arms.

"I know Gareth, Isaac's dad, I've not seen him since Isaac was diagnosed but I did message him and said I'm doing this marathon and he was more than happy about it.

"And Mandy Miller who is doing fundraising for Jacob is a close friend of mine so I'm doing it for him for him as well. "It's going to be split between all of them."

David has been involved in the game for a long time having played with the town team alongside the likes of Dave Chisnall, Alan Tabern and Michael Smith and regularly does exhibitions alongside professionals.

"Karl Holden at the shop is actually a former boss of mine and a friend and told me I can do it there. I play at a decent standard and all are welcome to come and play me for a leg or two. The more that we can get down there the better. I'm allowed four 15-minute breaks and toilet breaks, it's going to be a mentally draining challenge."

David's darts marathon will take place from 6am to 6pm at the store on Friday, June 17 and Saturday 18.

Donate to David's efforts via PayPal with the address theguru180@yahoo.co.uk or drop into the A180 shop.