THE latest adventures of the team of motorcyclists known as the Hospice Angels have brought the total they've raised in four years for St Michael's Hospice to more than £50,000.

Mike Pullin's first fundraising trip in 2002 took him from Ledbury to London with Frank the horse, after which he opted for a faster mode of transport, travelling by motorbike, first to Hereford's French twin town of Vierzon in 2004 then, last year, to Dillenburg in Germany. The Hospice Angels' third European trip last month, to Stomstad in Sweden, raised in excess of £9,000 for St Michael's Hospice.

The 2,000 mile ride from Herefordshire to Ledbury's Swedish twin town followed earlier expeditions to France and Germany and ended with a welcome at Stomstad town hall and a donation of two pictures to auction at the celebrations held on the team's return.

A week after they had set off, the six motorcyclists - Mike Pullin, Rob Edwards, Claes Mack, Kenneth Wild, Andy Wright and Tony Morgan were back in Ledbury - where, with non-travelling team mates Gerald Powell and Robert Taylor, they enjoyed a hog roast, auction, raffle and live music from Schmoove at Ledbury Rugby Club, raising more funds to add to the cash already generously donated by sponsors.

"How can one put into words the thanks needed for all those who sponsored us," said Mike Pullin, who celebrates his 70th birthday next month.

"Mike and the team are great supporters of the hospice," said Geraldine Rose at St Michael's. "You have to take your hat off to them."

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