THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised in memory of much loved family man Andy Fulford who died in a road accident in January.

His daughter Lauren got the backing of the gym where she works to support the family's bid to raise money for the neuro intensive care unit at Southampton General Hospital where he was treated.

Adam Bentley from Bentley's Crossfit gym in Devizes organised a triathlon with a difference following on from other successful charity challenges in previous years.

He said: "This year I wanted to step it up a little. We once again raised money for Julia's House children's hospice but also in memory of Andy Fulford.

"His daughter Lauren is one of my team here at the gym. He was in a car accident at the end of last year and then unfortunately lost his fight for life, sadly passing away in January.

"Lauren and the family wanted to raise money for the neuro intensive care unit, down in Southampton General Hospital, so that’s where we stepped in to help."

Mr Fulford, 47, from Potterne, near Devizes, died in hospital on January 10 following the collision north of Salisbury on 20 December. He left wife Caroline and five children.

Mr Bentley was joined by 11 others as they first got on their bikes in the Lake District to ride 200 miles to Bridgnorth in the Midlands and then walked 100 miles back to Devizes.

Once back at the gym they did 50 miles on indoor rowing machines.

Mr Bentley said: "We completed this huge task back to back with nothing other than a couple of roadside naps along the way."

The team that joined Mr Bentley were: Luke Morgan, Martin Early, Doug Downing, George Walsh, Kev Chandler, Ash Stevens, Emma Wright, Lizzy Skey, Alex Wallace, Roger Edwards and Wes Habershon.

They raised a total of £6,351.20 which has been split between the two charities.

Mr Bentley said: "This is our second consecutive year of raising money for Julia’s House and another good cause. I aim to hold at least one big charity fundraiser every year as a small thank you to the amazing local people of Devizes and further afield for supporting my small business and making my dream come true.

"I have already started planning for next years’ big event and it is going to be epic."