Two pensioners who travelled from Walmer Green to Gretna Green on their free bus passes have presented two charities with £1,000 each.

Sharon Ewin, 63, and Betty Lee, 76, who have been friends for three years since meeting in the RMA Club on The Strand in Walmer, underwent the fundraising challenge in June, riding 36 buses and raising £2,000 to be split equally between The Royal British Legion Women’s Section and Help for Heroes.

Mrs Lee said: “We thought we’d only raise about £500 so we’re very happy.”

At The Royal British Legion Women’s Section monthly meeting at St Margaret’s village Hall on Tuesday, representatives from both organisations gladly accepted their donations.

Women’s Section chairwoman Sheila Ramsey said: “The money will be donated to the British Legion to assist in all the work they do.

“We really are incredibly proud of the pair of them, bearing in mind their ages. When they first suggested it, we weren’t sure but they left on the Monday and got there on the Friday morning. It’s a wonderful achievement and to raise that amount is magnificent work.”

Help for Heroes representative James Burns, had travelled from Haslemere in Surrey, to receive the cheque.

He said: “It was worth the journey and it was really nice meeting them.

“The word challenge is used a lot in our charity in terms of working with the wounded and rehabilitation. I think what the two ladies did equates to that, it was a challenge for them. They told me about all the planning they had done. It was a major effort and it took a lot of courage. I think it was amazing.

“On behalf of the charity and the servicemen and women who will benefit, thank you to both of them. They really do appreciate it.”

Mrs Lee also gave Mr Burns a letter containing extracts from the diary she kept, for him to get an insight into their journey.

She said: “It was hard work. We just had to get there as best we could. We were lucky as one or two locals helped us out. The best part for me was at night when we could collapse into bed.”

Mrs Lee made light of how they’d had to walk the last part of their challenge.

She said: “The free bus pass finishes at Scotland. We got as far as Gretna Outlet and realised it wasn’t Gretna Green so had to walk a mile down the road.

“We had to do it. It was our challenge. You can’t say you’ve been somewhere when you haven’t.”

She added: “It’s all over now. I would do it again but I don’t know about Sharon, she might be tempted.”