Staff and customers at Escape Salon in Calne have raised £3,000 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance in memory of the son of their boss.

George Forester, 17, was killed in a car crash at Rowde on New Year’s Eve, along with Frankie Bowyer, 16, and Jamie Walker, 17.

George’s mother Jackie Forester owns the salon in Wood Street and, as soon as they heard of George’s death, salon staff said they wanted to do something for charity.

On Sunday a group of stylists, including assistant manager Sara, 26, who is George’s sister, walked 14 miles from the salon to the Royal Oak pub in Marlborough.

They were joined by two customers and Jo, the mother of Jack Williamson, a teenager who survived the crash.

Stylist Lauren Duck, 24, of North Street, said: “We thought of ideas of what we could do and came up with the walk. It seemed ideal because it was something everyone could be involved in.

“There was a great atmosphere on the day, everyone was having a laugh and keeping each other going. We were all a bit achey at the end and everyone was a bit stiff when they came into work this week. But it was definitely all worth it.”

They haven’t finished counting the money they collected in sponsorship and on the day, but the final figure is expected to be around £3,000.

Mrs Forester didn’t compete in the walk but was on hand to provide moral support and refreshments and said she was pleased that the fundraising had brought a positive outcome from her son’s death.

She said: “The walk was the staff’s idea and they have been planning it for a while. I am very proud of everybody’s efforts, it was a great achievement.

“We are already planning to do the same walk again next year and I definitely want to take part then and we’ll try to get more people involved and hopefully raise even more money.”

But this time they will avoid a clash with when the clocks change as getting up early on Sunday was particularly difficult.

Students at Abbeyfield School have also been fundraising in memory of the boys.

Deputy headteacher Danny Kitts said: “The students have been incredibly positive at raising money.

“They have held bake sales and dance competitions, and have been doing their best.”

Frankie Bowyer and Jamie Walker both went to Abbeyfield, while George Forester was a pupil of Sheldon School.