Ramblers, horse riders and teddy bear hunters raised thousands of pounds for charity on Sunday.

More than 120 people put their best feet forward despite the chilly weather for the 26th annual Examiner Charity Challenge.

A total of 29 charities benefited from activities at Lepton Highlanders Football Club and at Beaumont Park, which had been organised by the Charity Challenge committee.

Hardy ramblers set off on a 12.4 mile walk from Lepton at 8.30am.

They were followed by those on shorter walks who had to navigate themselves through the hilly countryside – and horse riders, who followed a 12-mile route.

One of the walkers, Nicola Durcan, of Linthwaite, lost her mum Linda to cancer only last year.

Examiner Charity Challenge, Lepton Highlanders. Nicola Durcan and Daniel Hart of Linthwaite hoping to raise £800.

She had already raised £800 for the Cynthia Spencer Hospice in Northampton, where her mother was cared for, by deciding to tackle the four-mile route.

Nicola, 29, said: “She was in there for four weeks and the staff looked after my mum so well and allowed us to put on a party for her.

“It’s five months since her funeral today (Sunday) and I thought it would be a good opportunity, although it’s something I have never done before.

“I can’t believe how generous everyone has been. It’s spurred me onto do more events.”

Also walking for a good cause was Eric Dunn, 86, who chose to do the seven mile route in memory of his wife Betty.

Examiner Charity Challenge, Lepton Highlanders. Eric Dunn 86 of Salendine Nook in aid of Alzheimers.

Eric, of Salendine Nook, said: “We used to like walking together and it was important for me to do the walk to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.”

At Beaumont Park, eagle-eyed walkers joined a teddy bear hunt.

Gemiah Pierre-Madigan, 11, a Charity Challenge veteran, did three loops of a one mile circuit to raise money for the genetic condition she lives with, Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.

She was joined by her mum and dad Paula and John and eight other friends, who were raising money for Dearne Valley St John’s Ambulance youth section.

And 19 residents from Willow Court in Mirfield and their carers strode out to raise money for Hollybank Trust in the town.

Andrea Pinder, a support worker, said: “It’s the first time we’ve ever done anything like this and we’ve raised £500 so far.”

Examiner Charity Challenge, Lepton Highlanders. On your bike for left to right, Ash Raine, Peter Shields, Clr Martyn Bolt and Alex Raine.

An unofficial Charity Challenge 40 mile cycle ride was also led by Mirfield Clr Martyn Bolt. All money raised was to be split amongst the challenge charities.

Clr Bolt said: “I thought it was important to hold a cycle ride due to the uptake in the sport thanks to Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire.”