Local businesses and families are being encourage to gear up this April by taking part in a gokarting challenge to help raise money for people living with ichthyosis.

The fast-paced challenge, which is being organised by the Ichthyosis Support Group, will take place on Sunday, 22 April between 8.30am and 3.30pm at Capital Karts, Barking.

Teams of five drivers will battle it out in a Le Mans style two hours, endurance race in a bid to be crowned the 2018 challenge winners and lift the coveted trophy.

Before the challenge begins, teams will be fully briefed and will head out for a practice session to help them get to grips with both the karts and the UK's longest indoor circuit.

Ichthyosis Support Group director, Mandy Aldwin, said: We are really excited about the go karting challenge, which is a must-attend for any karting enthusiasts, petrol heads or charity challengers alike.

Ichthyosis is describes a group of conditions in which the skin is dry and scaly. Ichthyosis scaling is continuous and usually affects the whole body, Most types are congenital, meaning that they are present at birth, and inherited.

The Ichthyosis Support Group was founded in 1997 to create a network of parents, sufferers and medics and became a registered charity in 2001.

Anyone wanting to take part in the go karting challenge can register their team, of up to five drivers, at www.ichthyosis.org.uk.

Minimum sponsorship for the event is £750 per team or £150 per person (in a five person team).