SIX employees from a fitting business in Calne completed a gruelling ultra marathon to the Avebury Stone Circle to raise money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance

Darren Spencer, Ian Powell, Paul Spencer, Tony Bryant, Amy Smith and Greg Smith from Elm Workspace, based in the Porte Marsh, raised nearly £5,000 for the vital air ambulance service when they took part in the Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones on July 15-16.

“We have been so inspired by the work the Wiltshire Air Ambulance does and have heard from patients first hand how this vital service can mean the difference between life and death,” Ian Powell said. “We chose the service earlier in the year as the charity to support and our business is a part of their 100 club which means we are committed to raising £10,000 in the year towards their new base.

“For most of us, Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones was a first. Some trained by doing 30km walks at the weekends and others took to walking home from work - and when you live 20km away that takes some time!"

The team endured countless blisters over the 13 hour trek as they powered through over the Ridgeway from Oxford to the North Wessex Downs and towards the symbolic stones on Saturday and Sunday in a race that they will never forget.

“It was very very tough,” Mr Powell continued. “We walked for 11 and a half hours on Saturday and 13 hours on Sunday and there were lots of blisters between us. We all stuck together although there were times when we individually had to put our heads down and find a place in our thoughts to push through the pain barrier. There was some fantastic scenery throughout though – we are incredibly lucky to live in this part of the world – and we have nearly reached our target of £5000.”

For more information or to donate visit www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/elmworkspace1.