Fifty Kingsbridge women joined forces to complete a women only ‘Fun-athlon’ around South Hams to raise funds for Kingsbridge Community College PTFA.

This is the third year in a row when local women have cycled, paddled and walked together to raise funds and this year was the most successful to date raising almost £1,400.

Definitely not a triathlon, the aptly named Fun-athlon is aimed at everyone regardless of fitness.

Event organiser Amanda Palmer explains “we call it a Fun-athlon because it definitely is not a competitive event. It’s more about having fun, enjoying our local coast and countryside and chatting a lot!”

The event started at Salcombe Park and Ride where the group cycled to Malborough then on to East Soar Mill working their way down Devon lanes to North Sands. There they enjoyed bottled water and ice creams courtesy of Salcombe Dairy Ice Cream.

After refreshments, they all jumped on giant XL paddle boards kindly supplied by Unit 6 Crossfit. Each board took up to eight people, who negotiated a busy Salcombe waterway to paddle around to the public quay at Batson Creek. There they were given cups of tea and cakes donated by local bakery Clive’s Pies.

The final leg of the Fun-athlon involved the group walking from Batson Creek to Lincombe Marina and over Snapes Point before returning to the Salcombe Estuary Rowing Club gig shed for Prosecco and a BBQ with meats donated by KW Durant Butchers.

Co-event organiser Caroline Hill said: “We are so lucky to be able to run an event like this in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The weather was kind to us and so many local companies helped us out and gave so generously to make the day a success.

“In particular we would like to thank the Wolf Rock Boat Company who were the event’s main sponsor and supplied our fabulous ‘Fun-athlon t-shirts’.”

Kingsbridge Community College PTFA member Julie Cardrick said she “throughly enjoyed” the day, adding: “It’s wonderful to see so many local ladies get together each year to raise funds for our students.

“The college is raising money for two new minibuses and every penny donated today will help our cause”.

You can find out more information about the college’s PTFA up and coming events on Kingsbridge Community College website: www.kingsbridgecollege.org.uk