FRIENDS Graham Enderby and Paul Keenan were so moved by the stories they heard when they visited Devizes Opportunity Centre they have pledged to make their fundraising efforts an annual event.

Mr Enderby, 53, known as Stretch, and firefighter Paul Keenan, 48, known as PK were at the centre to present a cheque for £2,840 from their exploits of dressing as Batman and Robin and riding a tandem.

Next year they hope to make an even more spectacular entrance to the town by arriving along the canal on a pedalo.

Mr Enderby and Mr Keenan are both regulars of The Dolphin pub in Devizes and took on the challenge set by pub landlord Billy Costello after the death of three-year-old Jacob Andrews.

Jacob of The Spinney, West Lavington, suffered from a number of medical problems and had been helped by the opportunity centre in Belle Vue Road which looks after children from birth to five with a range of learning difficulties and medical problems.

In October the two men rode 50 miles from Ringwood to Devizes before stopping a mile outside the town to swap from normal cycling clothes into the outfits of the comic book heroes. They were accompanied into town by outriders from the Devizes Sweet Sensations Scooter Club and were greeted at the pub by a large crowd including Jacob's parents Sarah and Mark.

Mr Enderby said: "When we went to present the cheque I was quite overwhelmed by what I saw and heard. It is an amazing place. We were thinking this was just a one off fundraiser but now we are planning something even more exciting for next year. I want to thank everyone who sponsored us and Fancypantz in Snuff Street for providing our costumes. We are very grateful to everyone.

"We didn't expect to raise nearly as much as we did but we know it is going to a wonderful cause."

Next year the friends are planning a similar 50 mile ride but instead of doing the last stretch on a tandem they want to take to the Kennet and Avon Canal on a pedalo.

Mr Enderby said: "The only problem is going to be getting the pedalo. But I know someone who knows someone else who has one so we are hoping it will all come together."

Mr Costello said he was very grateful to the pair of raising money for the charity the pub has supported for many years. He said: "They did really well. Our fundraising continues all year as we have collection boxes on the bar."

The two men visited the centre last week and were thanked by manager Debbie Lambert who took over the role last month. She has been delighted with the community support for the centre which has to raise £100,000 every year to supplement grants.

She said: "I have been completely overwhelmed by the support from the community since I started here."