FOR four gruelling days, three adventurous friends walked, cycled and canoed over 130 miles along the River Severn to raise over £3,000 for St Richard’s Hospice.

Luke Simons, Steven Grantham and Chris Hayward, from Worcester, began at Plynlimon, the source of the River Severn, before travelling to the home of Worcestershire sauce

Mr Simons, aged 36, set the Source to Sauce challenge in memory of his father who was cared for by the hospice.

John Simons, an engineer, was a keen football and cricket player before his illness and death last year aged 66.

The challenge saw them walk 25 hilly miles, swap two feet for two wheels in a 70 mile cycle ride before taking to the water in a canoe for the third day. They completed their challenge by crossing the finish line near Worcester Bridge alongside other teams in a Dragon Boat race, before celebrating their success with an evening event and raffle at The Rectifying House, Worcester.

The senior account manager said: “It was a tough four days but really rewarding.

"We travelled through some stunning scenery and were very lucky with the weather.

"We didn't pass another walker on our first day.

"We were genuinely touched by all the support we received, from a great support team to strangers on route who sponsored and helped us out.

"There were a few scary bits along the way, particularly an incident involving white water and a tree while we were in the canoes, and we narrowly escaped capsizing the Dragon Boat."

He thankked Worcester Dragon Boat Racing Club for letting them use a boat and The Rectifying House for hosting the evening event.

"We would also like to especially thank all our supporters, who helped us complete the challenge and raise such a large amount of money so that other families facing life-threatening illness can do so with the compassionate care and support of St Richard’s Hospice.”

Donations can still be made at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/sourcetosauce.