A group of friends are choosing not to eat food for five days in order to raise money for an animal sanctuary just outside of Norwich.

Eastern Daily Press: Emma and Nikki will also be fasting for five days (Photo: supplied by Emily Noble)Emma and Nikki will also be fasting for five days (Photo: supplied by Emily Noble) (Image: Archant)

From January 16 to January 20, Reb Pawsey, Nikki Tee, Sarah Carolina, Steve Peters, Emma Thomas, Ryan Marc Read and Emily Noble will be giving up food and drinking only water, tea or weak coffee in order to raise funds for Hillside Animal Sanctuary.

The sanctuary, currently home to over 3000 animals, regularly rescue, help and campaign for animals in need, particularly those who come from the animal farming industry.

Eastern Daily Press: Hillside Animal Sanctuary (Photo: Hillside Animal Sanctuary Facebook page)Hillside Animal Sanctuary (Photo: Hillside Animal Sanctuary Facebook page) (Image: Archant)

They also aim to uncover any cruelty to animals within food production.

The sanctuary rely purely on donations so Norwich-local Emily Noble and her friends have decided to help raise money for the cause by fasting.

Eastern Daily Press: Hillside Animal Sanctuary (Photo: Hillside Animal Sanctuary Facebook page)Hillside Animal Sanctuary (Photo: Hillside Animal Sanctuary Facebook page) (Image: Archant)

'In the group we are all vegan and all animal rights activists, so the cause is very close to all of our hearts,' she said.

The group will be documenting their journey through video diaries and regular livestreams so that their fast and struggles can be followed. They have coined the Twitter hashtag #hungry4hillside, too.

Eastern Daily Press: Reb Pawsey will also be fasting for five days (Photo: supplied by Emily Noble)Reb Pawsey will also be fasting for five days (Photo: supplied by Emily Noble) (Image: Archant)

'We chose fasting as it is a huge mental and physical challenge and one none of us have undertaken before. Most of us are big lovers of food, so the thought of not eating for this long is quite daunting.'

Miss Noble, 24, will also be attending various vigils over the course of the five days - one at a slaughterhouse in Watton and others in Spalding and Norwich city centre.

Eastern Daily Press: Hillside Animal Sanctuary (Photo: Hillside Animal Sanctuary Facebook page)Hillside Animal Sanctuary (Photo: Hillside Animal Sanctuary Facebook page) (Image: Archant)

So far the group have already raised over £550 for Hillside Animal Sanctuary. You can donate via their crowdfunding page here.

Eastern Daily Press: Sarah Carolina is fasting for charity (Photo: provided by Emily Noble)Sarah Carolina is fasting for charity (Photo: provided by Emily Noble) (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Steve Peters (third from left) is fasting for charity (Photo: provided by Emily Noble)Steve Peters (third from left) is fasting for charity (Photo: provided by Emily Noble) (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Ryan Marc Read is fasting for charity (Photo: provided by Emily Noble)Ryan Marc Read is fasting for charity (Photo: provided by Emily Noble) (Image: Archant)