15248/4BLISTERS, aching limbs and sunburn failed to deter the Wiltshire Times editorial team who took part in a fundraising walk at the weekend.

The team turned out in force to take part in the 20-mile CLIC Canal Challenge on Sunday, raising nearly £1,000 to be divided between the children's cancer charity and the 150 Fund.

Editor Toby Granville said: "It was very hard work, more than we had expected but everyone tried their best and it was with a huge sense of achievement that we reached the end of the course.

"It was all for a good cause and I'm very proud of all the staff members who took part on behalf of the fund and for CLIC.

"It was also really good fun and I am looking forward to next year's event."

Six staff members, along with a tireless Dalmatian named Winston, managed to complete the whole course, walking along the canal towpath from Caen Hill, Devizes, to Bathampton.

Another five of the team completed parts of the walk, joined by four-year-old David Phillips, who managed five miles, and his sisters, Katie, nine and Merryn, six, who completed 10 miles.

Hundreds of people took part in the challenge, splitting the sponsorship money raised between CLIC and a charity of their choice.

Also getting into the fundraising spirit this week are local school children who will be filling empty Smarties tubes with spare change on behalf of the 150 fund, with 10 per cent going back to the school funds.

The tubes of Smarties, donated by ASDA in Trowbridge, are being handed out to youngsters at Studley Green Primary School, Trowbridge, Christ Church Primary School, Bradford on Avon, Lowbourne Junior School, Melksham, Princecroft Primary School, Warm-inster and Corsham Regis Primary School.

To start the collection off, Smarties manufacturer Nestl has donated £500 to the 150 Fund.

Louise Keenan, commercial manager for the Wiltshire Times, said: "The fund will give a lot of money to children so it is nice to get children involved with the fundraising."

Nestl has warned that filling Smarties tubes with coins can present a choking hazard to small children and are asking parents to ensure the tubes are kept safe.