TWO Skipton policemen have raised over £6,500 for the Children's Society following a fundraising trek across New Zealand.

Sergeant Andy Gill and community safety officer PC Neil Hargreaves joined a group of 50 other trekkers, including Settle postman Michael Stubbs and Birds of a Feather star Linda Robson.

Participants had to raise a minimum of £2,750 to take part in an eight-day trek called the Sea to Summit challenge.

Neil said: "We really enjoyed the challenge and found the trek much harder than we had imagined. We walked a very remote coastal path and then up two very large snow-covered mountains. The coast and scenery were breathtaking.

"It wasn't very hot and it rained some of the time and so we had to have our waterproofs with us most of the time."

Andy said: "New Zealand was breathtaking, the country was very beautiful and peaceful. I have never had that feeling of safety in a country before."

He also said that the last mountain proved to be the biggest challenge because it meant walking at a constant gradient to a height of nearly 6,000 feet.

The two men thought it was great to meet other fundraisers from around the country.

"There were some really good characters. Together with the 50 other trekkers we have jointly raised over £140,000 with the total still growing daily," explained Neil.

"We would like to say a big thank you to everybody that supported us, friends, colleagues and members of the public for making it possible, we had a trip of a lifetime."

Neil was particularly keen to take part in this fundraising opportunity because of his work with young people in the community.

"As my job means that I am dealing with young people on a daily basis and often there is a sad story in the background. So it is good to think that I am helping those people who I come into contact with everyday," he added.

Postman Michael, who has lived in Settle for 30 years, said he also found the challenge hard work.

But he added: "It was great to have Linda sharing the fantastic experience. I would encourage anyone with a sense of adventure to join a Children's Society trek.

"Our final day took us up Mount Fyffe which overlooks the Kaikoura Peninsular and with the shimmering blue green waters of the Pacific below it was a stunning climb to the top.

"That was a highlight for me, along with me swimming with dolphins before the end of the trek."

Michael raised the money by organising a sponsored bike ride and an annual fundraising event held by the local fire station.

The Children's Society will use the money to keep important projects running throughout the country.

For instance, in Preston the charity funds a scheme which helps to find ways to enable children to take responsibility, encourage assertiveness and self esteem. Volunteers listen to what the children want to say and help to build up their confidence.