WATCH: David FitzGerald: ‘Crafty Trio’ return after gruelling Devon charity challenge

The ‘Crafty Trio’ have made a triumphant return to Ivybridge, having circled Devon for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. 

They walked two hundred miles and visited all twenty-one Craft Union pubs in the county.

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Through wind and rain, and a bit of sun, military veteran Lysa Orr, landlord Dave Cooper, and Chris Roud trudged onwards, always looking forward to the next warm welcome as they marched to Plymouth across the South Hams, then to Torquay, and then up and over Dartmoor, finishing in Ilfracombe before a grandstand finishing flourish back in Ivybridge, where they were led in by a piper.

“This is my second crazy idea within twelve months,” said Dave Cooper. 

“In May last year we walked 300 miles with Royal British Legion members, taking in the Two Moors Way, the Tamar Way, and from Falmouth to Ivybridge along the coastal path… I vowed never to do it again. But I did it again!”

Over four thousand pounds was raised last time, and the team hoped to raise even more this time. 

Dave admits that it is physically challenging and that he came down with heatstroke on one section of the last trek, but said it was unlikely to happen this time.

“All twenty-one Craft Union pubs have promised to raise some money for us, the Poppy Appeal, so I would like to thank them all. 

“Notes only please; carrying four hundred pounds in change for two hundred miles is not funny!”

Lysa added, “We have given it our all, and what an incredible welcome we had back at The Exchange pub in Ivybridge after that ten-day trek.”

“It was a challenging route,” admitted Chris Roud. “From Ivybridge to Plymouth, down to Plymstock, back to Ivybridge, and then bashing on to Totnes, Paignton, Torquay, Exmouth, Exeter, Axminster, Cullompton, and then up to Bideford, Barnstaple, and that finish in Ilfracombe.”

They set off just as the heavens opened once again, with one local wit muttering to me, “It should be called the Ploppy Appeal.” 

But their return saw some sunshine and a total raised of over £6,000.