Dressed for their name but not for the weather, the Devizes-based charity walkers the Avon Road Amigos broke their fundraising record when they trekked from Bradford-on-Avon to Bath on Sunday.

For seven years the Amigos have been dressing up as Mexicans for a sponsored walk along the canal towpath in aid of the Dorothy House hospice at Winsley, near Bradford-on-Avon.

This year the Amigos’ walk had a sadness to it as they staged it in memory of their pal Alan Moore, who worked at Devizes Control Systems, and was one of the original gang but died a year ago from Covid, aged 61.

“We missed Alan this year, he was one of our originals and he was a great supporter of everything we did.

"His son Luke took his place this year and we all wore his picture as this one was for Alan,” said Mark.

Wiltshire Times: Mark Osland and Andy Mayland remember their late pal Alan MooreMark Osland and Andy Mayland remember their late pal Alan Moore

Fortified by a full English breakfast instead of tortillas at The White Bear in Devizes before setting off to join 200 others walking for the charity, they hoped their ponchos would keep the chill out, but they didn’t.

“It was very cold and very wet and we are still drying out,” said the Amigo’s leader, Mark Osland.

But although the sunshine wasn’t with them, the generosity of their sponsors was.

“We raised £4,000, which is a record for us and it’s £1,000 more than our best ever before,” said Mark.