TWO teams from Worcestershire are driving 1,500 miles from Blackpool to Benidorm to raise money for St Richard's Hospice.

The teams were two of 40 which set off on April 30 in an old banger as part in the 2014 ‘Benidorm or bust’ challenge, which takes place over five days and follows a route fromthrough Dover, Calais, Poitiers and Zaragoza before ending up in Benidorm.

Taking part for the first time this year is staff from the Crown at Powick, manager Rob Massey, aged 41, and chef Ben Partridge, 21 along with specialist carer William Macdonald, 44, and 21-year-old Ed Mann,

The Crown team, who are driving a car donated by Startins, Worcester, are no strangers to fundraising for St Richard’s, with the hospice being the pub’s chosen charity.

“St Richards is an organisation that became particularly close to me and my wife, Claire, who runs the pub with me, after Claire's father was cared for at St Richard’s”, said Mr Massey. “We witnessed first-hand the wonderful work the hospice undertakes and we were all helped through a particularly difficult time”.

Also taking part are ‘Benidorm or Bust’ veterans Matthew Boulton, 22, Paul Chamberlin, 39, James Hunt, 44, and Elliot Neese, 28, who all live in Worcester.

The team, have plenty of practical skills to help them in the event of a break down, with mechanic Mr Hunt , Mr Chamberlin who is a machines operator while their team mates are both builders.

Mr Chamberlin’s sister, Vicky, is a Health Care Assistant in the St Richard’s Hospice In-patient Unit and her work is what has inspired Paul and the team to raise funds for the charity.

“It’s a really good experience”, he said. "We enjoy the challenge of driving through Europe, especially Paris, and you get to see so much more than when you fly."

The team will be taking on the challenge this year in the theme of ‘Smokey and the Bandit’, with a black Honda Prelude taking the part of the Bandit’s Trans which will be pursued by a gold BMW, emulating the Sheriff’s Pontiac Le Mans.

Jodi Brandwood, community fundraiser at St Richards, said: “We’re looking forward to seeing the cars. There are usually some pretty wacky designs. We are really grateful for all the guys’ support and hope they have a fun trip”.