ELEVEN wheelbarrows, four dogs, and a group of friends raised more than a thousand pounds for cancer treatment.

Sarah’s Wheelbarrow Challenge, inspired by Thurlestone resident Sarah Hurrell’s ongoing battle with cancer, saw pairs push, pull and pant their way, one in the wheelbarrow, one pushing, from Thurlestone to Hope Cove on November 21.

The route, which was 3.4miles long, took the group from outside the Thurlestone Hotel, past the golf club, over the bridge at Thurlestone Sands, through the lanes to Galmpton and down to the Hope and Anchor in Hope Cove. Palladium Building Supplies in Kingsbridge kindly donated the wheelbarrows themselves.

The group, which included Sarah’s friends as well as her children Charlotte, Katie and Tom, and her grandsons Hendrix and Owen, took up the challenge after Sarah inspired them with her positive and often hilarious updates on her cancer battle on Facebook.

There were some points of the challenge where pushing with someone in the wheelbarrow was impossible, so there was some swapping around and a lot of water and breathing breaks.

There were also pauses whenever the team met a car or some walkers, just long enough for a collecting bucket to be encouragingly shaken, and people were very generous all around the route.

By the time everyone reached the Hope and Anchor Inn in Hope Cove, people cheered them on as they reached the village, and they were all in need of a beer and a relax.

After the event, Sarah said: ‘Well, what a fabulous fundraising day, wheelbarrow push complete! The pushers were momentous and certainly earned their pints back in The Hope and Anchor, as were the riders and walkers including all the pooches.

‘Thanks to the walkers and to the public who stopped to chat and showed their support along with the car drivers who also did the same, and showed great patience for the eleven barrows heading to the next passing places.‘Thank you to Palladium for very kindly loaning us our wheels for the day, thanks to the Hope and Anchor, the Village Inn, Thurlestone, the Sloop Inn, Bantham, and Thurlestone Village Shop and all who donated.

‘A massive thank you to you for making this the huge success it’s been, could not have done it without you. It’s never to late to donate! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.’

Charlotte said: ‘We couldn’t be any prouder of the strength, courage and determination mum has shown over these past three years. She’s truly an inspiration to everyone. We are so proud of what she and everyone else achieved during the Wheelbarrow Challenge!’

With money still coming in from all over the South Hams, the total raised so far is £1,177.87 for the Plymouth Oncology Outpatients and Chemotherapy, or POOCH, supporting the team who have helped Sarah and thousands of other people fighting cancer in the South West.

If you would like to donate to POOCH, you can send cheques to: David Hocking, Eastdown, Lydford, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 4BP or by contact him via email: [email protected]. You can find out more about the charity on their website: www.palsofpooch.org