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A Haverhill businessman will be taking part in a gruelling challenge for charity next month in memory of two friends killed in an attack when they went to watch a football match in Turkey.

Dave Allan, sales and marketing director of Doxbond in Homefield Road, will be taking on the Tough Guy challenge on January 31 in Wolverhampton.

In a field of thousands, he will be among around 40 Leeds United supporters who will be raising money for Candlelighters, a Leeds-based charity for children with cancer.

Dave, 37, went to Istanbul in April 2000 to watch Leeds United's UEFA Cup semi-final against Galataseray.

On the eve of the game tragedy struck and two fellow fans, Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight, were stabbed to death.

"We were just walking from one bar to another," said Dave, "and we got attacked. I got stabbed, but fortunately it wasn't too serious. I was lucky."

Ten years on the families of the dead men are preparing to commemorate them in April 2010 and have uasked fund raisewrs to support Candlelighters.

Dave has been in training since October for the 8.5-mile assault course, with 21 obstacles including electrfied barbed wire and even a lake where participants have to go under water.

"I've been doing road runs, weights, etc, and Wilburs Gym in Haverhill have been very supportive," said Dave.

"I realise this is not a local charity but I would really appreciate any help as it is something that means a lot to me."

Doxbond is a document management and storage company which established its Haverhill branch in 2006.

Anyone who would like to donate to Dave's challenge can go to www.justgiving.com/DavidAllan72