AN USUAL fundraising effort became a family affair at a barracks.

As Colin Northridge and his daughter Beverley slogged their way through a sponsored rollerblade session, wife and mum June joined in to lend moral support.

Together, the Thirsk family clocked up the mileage they needed to bring in funds for the British Legion's Poppy Appeal.

Mr Northridge and Beverley strapped on the rollerblades to skate the equivalent of the 42 miles between York and Scarborough - venue for the RBL's annual conference.

Mr Northridge, the legion's county field officer and Beverley, his assistant, were due to set off from York, but due to road restrictions, completed most of the distance at Topcliffe's Alanbrooke Barracks.

The pair finished the last half-mile of the trek for real when they arrived at the Spa conference venue at the weekend.

Mr Northridge, 55, has done lots of fundraising challenges for the legion, including London Marathons, a bungee jump and a 200-mile coast-to-coast run.

It has now become a tradition for him to take on a sporting feat to mark the opening of the conference.

"I have been involved with the legion for more than 20 years and I am proud to see the difference it makes in so many ways," he said.

Mr Northridge and Beverley, 38 spread their 40-plus miles over two days at the barracks, averaging 6mph.

On the second day Mrs Northridge also joined in.

Mr Northridge, who raises more than £3,000 a year for the legion, does not know what he will come up with for next year.

"But I'll think of something," he said.