HUNDREDS of fundraisers took part in the Examiner Charity Challenge - and this year the weather obliged.

Sponsored walkers, cyclists and horse riders were greeted by beautiful sunshine at Meltham Sports and Community Centre yesterday, a far cry from the terrible weather at last year's event.

In all, 903 people took part - on foot, on bicycle, in pushchairs and in wheelchairs.

The annual challenge raises money for 12 recommended charities. But volunteers also took part to help causes of their own, including local schools and Scout groups.

And their efforts realised a total of £42,722.71.

The Examiner's Helen Roberts, who helps organise the event, was pleased to see so many people.

She said: "It went very well. We had plenty of walkers and there were also a lot of late entries this year, which is good to see."

And Helen paid tribute to the Huddersfield Lions Club, which helps run the event.

She said: "The Lions and their friends do an absolutely sterling job every year with the registration and stewarding."

There was something for everyone at yesterday's event, with a long walk of 6.8 miles and a shorter one of 4.2 miles. Cyclists had the choice of eight, 16, 22 or 48-mile courses and there was also a 10-mile horse riding route.

There was also a two-mile buggy and wheelchair course, starting from nearby Blackmoorfoot Reservoir.

Bev and Geoff Senior, from Golcar, were first in line to register at Meltham Sports and Community Centre at 8.30am yesterday.

Bev said: "We set off early last year and managed to avoid the bad weather, but it's beautiful today."

The pair did the long walk to raise money for Golcar Old Folk's Treat.

Margaret Porter, from Netherton, also completed the long walk.

The 71-year-old was part of a group of seven raising money for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

She said: "I think I've only missed one of the challenges since they started."

Cowlersley women Kath Batley, 47, and Janet McCreadie, 53, were joined on the long walk by their Labradors, Sandy and Bailey.

Kath said: "I think the dogs will be walking us rather than the other way round!"

The pair do the challenge each year for different charities. This time, appropriately enough, they were raising cash for Guide Dogs For The Blind.

Weight Watchers from Shepley, Holmfirth and Almondbury were out in force, with 40 members taking part in the long walk - along with Ruby the dog.

The group were walking for the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Trust, which is trying to set up a children's hospice in Brackenhall.

Dot Bush, from Waterloo, runs the Weight Watchers meetings.

She said: "We raise funds for the trust all year round because we think it's awful that people with sick children have to travel so far to get them cared for."

The group were hoping to top last year's sponsorship total of £2,000.

Huddersfield Cyclists' Touring Club member Tony Jagger got on his bike to raise funds for the group. The 65-year-old from Lepton said: "This is the third time I've done the challenge and I'm looking forward to it."

Also taking part for the third tine were Kim Robertson from Golcar and Halifax pair Angela Peace and Heather Whitaker, along with their horses, Bracken, Gella and Ellie.

The trio were raising money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Kim explained: "We go riding a lot and you never know we might need the ambulance one day if we get stuck in a bog!"

Angela said: "We enjoy the event ourselves, but the horses also like meeting up. It's a change of scenery for them."

And Heather said: "The route is good because it gives us a chance to go to different places that are off the road."

For pictures see today's Examiner