SORE feet, swollen hands and muscle strains were just some of the impacts the 38 mile Route 19 Challenge had on the intrepid drivers from Cowdenbeath’s Stagecoach garage.

And there was even a touch of exposure as they braved the driving rain of the afternoon stage of the 12 hour walk, but the fact it raised more than £3000 for Children In Need made all the problems worth suffering.

William Kelly and Angela Macfie were the organisers of the Route 19 Challenge which saw ten Stagecoach drivers from the Cowdenbeath garage take up the test of walking the route 19 that they drive daily, and then back again.

The duo were full of praise for the public who backed their cause all the way and some people went to extremes to ensure that they made a contribution.

Said William, from Sinclair Drive, “I must say that from the moment we set out on our venture people were so supportive. We even had one old couple who put all their loose change in the wheelbarrow we had and then went into the boot of their car and produced a jar full of money they had been saving, and poured that in.

“It was just typical of the commitment people showed to what we were trying to do and we are so grateful to everyone who made a contribution.” And while they were going along Cowdenbeath High Street, Jim Paterson and his staff at Kassy’s Kitchen, supplied complimentary refreshments for the walkers.

The intrepid team of drivers, encouraged by William and Angela, was made up of Jim Aitken, Brian Sharp, Amie Waterson, Davey Scott, Niall Douglas, Cheryl Breslin, John Shand and Jim Carr, all in fancy dress. There was Batman, Litte Red Riding Hood, Big Bear, Storm Trooper, Dracula, Princess Fiona and the Burlesque Dancer, along with, of course, Pudsey.

Jim also acted as the event photographer and we are delighted to use a selection of his shots of the Route 19 Challenge. “The thing was, when we left the garage to head for Ballingry at around 6am last Saturday the weather was fine but as the day moved on things changed,” said Angela.

“By the time we reached Dunfermline it was starting to rain and then got worse and worse, but we just kept going.” While ten started the Challenge, the rigours of the route started to count out walkers one by one, and on the way back only Angela and William were left in action.

“No one had really had any training for this sort of walk before we set out so it was invevitable we could lose people, but the two of us were fortunate to be able to make the round trip despite suffering a bit in the latter stages,” added William. “I go for long walks with the dog,” said Angela, “But certainly this was an amazing venture and the support of the public was unbelievable. People waved to us while car drivers tooted their horns and it all kept our spirits up.” William said that one bus driver on the Inverness route had seen them at Dunfermline bus station and sent some money to boost the coffers.

The walkers themselves raised just over £1500, through sponsorship and their wheelbarrow collection, and with Stagecoach matching the cash raised by them over £3000 has gone to Children In Need.

The team had been invited to take part in Friday’s Children in Need feature programme on BBC 1 with Terry Wogan, “They invited us to be in the London studio but unfortunately with us all working different shifts, we could not get down there.” Would they do it again? Said Angela and William, “Let us just say we have something in mind for next year already.”