A FORMER member of the Royal Signals was welcomed with open arms at Springboard as she took on a mammoth running challenge.

Bernadette Rigby, from Colerne, ran 555 kilometres last month, ending on her 55th birthday. She averaged 21 kilometres a day on the punishing run she did for Parkinsons's UK, Royal British Legion and Springboard, a pre-school for disabled kids.

When counting up Ms Rigby was shocked to find out she earned a total of £555: "I had had 555 in my head the whole month, so when we added up all the proceeds it didn’t click immediately!I made them count it again to be sure!"

Helen Ashton, from Springboard, added: “We are so proud of Bernie for her achievements. The money will help us keep the water in the sensory bubble tube clean and working for a year. We have such hard water that it needs replacing every 6 weeks with special filters and that costs money. The sensory room is such a special place, and this will keep a smile on the children’s face.”