A GROUP of plucky navigators from the Melksham Rugby Club have raised £1,700 for Dorothy House Hospice and the upkeep of the club.

The rugby club’s annual charity event was given a special twist this year as the 11 groups were left in a mystery location and told they would have to find their way back to Melksham RFC.

Dressed in white overalls, the groups were chained together and had to navigate their way home from the Devizes White Horse via checkpoints while completing tasks on route.

Member of the rugby club, Tom Coleman, said: “We changed the theme a little bit this year mainly for variety’s sake, as in the end that is the spice of life.

“There was a welcome at the club for the group that made it before everyone else.

“It is an annual event and getting bigger every year. We had 55 people turn up, five in each team and it was a surprise to have so many.”

The money is to be split between funding their own rugby club and a donation to Dorothy House.

Organisers wanted to share their thanks to all those involved including the checkpoints used; The Bell on the Green – Devizes, The British Lion – Devizes, The White Bear – Devizes, The Silk Mercer – Devizes, The Crown – Devizes, The Three Magpies – Sells Green, The Brewery – Seend, The Barge Inn – Seend, The Pilot – Bowerhill, The Milk Churn - Melksham, The New Inn – Berryfield, The West End Inn – Melksham and Moles Brewery – Melksham.

As well as checkpoints; Aloeric School, Melksham ATC, A&G Minibuses, Emily Knight (from Dorothy House Hospice), Andrew and Elaine Chappell, Sam Strong, Wayne Davies, Nathan Irving, Steve Sullivan and David and Caroline Williams and the Chain Gangs for supporting this event on the day.