A GROUP of friends has finally completed a 4,000-mile adventure to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Six friends set out on a gruelling drive around the UK dubbed Mini mayhem. 

Daily Echo: Tony Barnes, Lee Marsh, Alan Gulliver, Christopher Martin, Lee Fisher, and Natalie Marsh left Lymington on Thursday, June 9, and crossed the finishing line on Saturday, June 19.

Hailing from the Southampton and New Forest areas, they raised over £6,000 towards a £10,000 target.

Daily Echo:

Lee, 47, told the Daily Echo: "We have covered the entire mainland coastline of the UK in just ten days."

To make the challenge a bit more difficult, the group agreed to not use the motorway or sat nav for their entire journey. 

Daily Echo: Map showing the route in redMap showing the route in red

Lee added: "It was an extremely tiring challenge and we all took a few wrong turns, but the morale was so high from start to finish. 

"I am so excited to do another challenge in the near future. I think I’ve caught the bug."

Daily Echo:

Lee has completed the same challenge on his own twice before, although both times he was on his motorcycle rather than a car.

This time, he was joined by his 30-year-old daughter, Natalie Marsh. "I am quite proud of her," he said.

Each year, the group selects a different charity for which to raise funds. Over the years, they have collected money for MIND, Cancer Research, Oakhaven Hospice, the Stroke Association, and more. 

This year, they all agreed to fundraise for the children's hospital.

The Minis that the group were driving were almost 20 years old and were sponsored by local businesses. 

Daily Echo:

Although there were 'a few hiccups' along the way, the final mileage covering all three cars was 9,469 miles. 

Other drivers, Alan Gulliver and Tony Barnes, also shared their thoughts after completing the challenge. 

Alan, 54, said: "It was an amazing experience. Everyone pulled together, creating a great team with lots of laughs along the way and for an amazing cause. 

Meanwhile, Tony, 70, said: "It was a real challenge from start to finish, but so worthwhile." 

To support their fundraiser, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/minimayhem2022

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