INTREPID teams of fundraisers collected more than £12,000 for St Richard’s Hospice by completing the paddle, plod and pedal challenge.

All of the sponsorship money from the endurance challenge in July, which involved paddling from Pershore to Tewkesbury, walking to Kempsey and pedalling back to Pershore, has now been counted and donated to the care charity.

Jodi Brandwood, of St Richard’s Hospice, said, “The paddle, plod and pedal is no easy feat at the best of times and this year, for the majority of the day, the weather decided to go against us.

“For a few participants this was the first time they had ever taken part in anything like this and to finish with beaming smiles in the very welcome sunshine was fantastic to see.

“The team spirit that shone through on an otherwise grey day was amazing.

“All four teams taking part this year have done an incredible job with their fundraising and we are extremely proud of them.”

A team from QualitySolicitors Parkinson Wright raised £2,203 while two group of friends, competing under the names In It To Win It and Where’s the Finish?, collected £2,442 and £2,719 respectively.

Entrants from Jaga Heating Products in Ledbury, which raised £4,800, were inspired to take on the challenge in memory of Paul Kingswell, who worked at the company as commercial manager for three years before he died at St Richard’s Hospice in February 2013.

Joyce Skelton, human resources manager at the company, said: “We wanted to support the hospice to recognise the compassionate care that Paul received at the end of his life.

“Despite the apocalyptic weather, the team had a great time competing in this challenge.

“It was stretching but we felt that we all pulled together and were raising money for a very worthwhile cause.”

St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and supports their families.

Each year the hospice team supports over 2,550 patients and family members in Worcestershire.

For more information please visit strichards.org.uk