A FUNDRAISING challenge has seen Radcliffe businessman Barry Chadwick make his way to Europe in aid of Bury Hospice.

Along with a drinking pal at his local pub in Darwen, Barry decided to take on the £20 challenge with his friend Dave Brown.

Barry, who owns Gas and Fireplace Centres in Dale Street, and friend Dave Brown set out to get as far as they could around the world, on just £20.

Barry (51) and Dave (43) managed to reach Venice before the pennies ran out.

With a £75 air fare from Ryanair paid for by a marble manufacturing company in Bacup, Barry and Dave paid for a night's accommodation and train fares to and from the airport, and still had a few coins left in their pocket.

The pair left the Alexander pub in Darwen on November 26, and were due to return the following day, but bad fog kept them in Italy for another day.

And while Dave, a transport manager from Bury, will donate his £450 to the East Lancashire Hospice, Barry will be handing over his £150 to Bury Hospice when he has finished collecting from his sponsors.

Barry said: "We did plan to get back within 24 hours, but the bad weather in Venice meant we had to stay another night. But we paid for that ourselves.

"I only had a week to collect my sponsors, but I was very pleased with the support I had from friends, family and customers. I am also hoping to take part in something similar soon for different charities."