A TEAM of fundraisers put their back into it by pulling a carriage 12 miles.

The Royal Forest of Dean Riding for the Disabled Association Carriage Driving Group took four hours and 35 minutes to cover the distance in relays from Newnham to St Oswald’s in Gloucester.   

Wheels were set in motion at 8.15am on Sunday, May 21, and the group hope the event will raise £500. 

RDA volunteers who took part were Stephanie Rogers, Liz Stephens,  Emma Morgan, Benjamin Aston, Peter Robins, Kirsty Holder and Ellie Hodgkinson, who were joined by Luke Murrell, Amy Brown (Miss Cheltenham and former Miss Forest of Dean), Ben Jones, Kay Holder, Nicky Holder, Jo Brown, Gracie Brown, Nikki Edginton and her two daughters and Jane Scott.

Mike Kiely of Kiely Bros in Birmingham allowed Nicky Holder the use of a motorway maintenance vehicle to follow the carriage with hazard lights to ensure the safety of the walkers, while the Toby Carvery at Highnam and Frankie and Bennies in Gloucester allowed them to use facilities as they passed through.

Also supporting were group chairman Bridget Strong and treasurer Glenda Ward-Watton in cars with drinks, food and first aid kits.

Glenda Ward-Watton said: “We are hoping that this event will raise £500 towards buying our own lorry to enable us to take clients to shows with our horses, something we feel will build confidence and self esteem for them.”