A coach trip organised by Ian Douglas for some workmates 20 years ago was enjoyed by them all, but more importantly it led to him launching an unpaid sideline which has raised a fortune for charity.

That first outing for colleagues at the Glaxo factory in Barnard Castle was to a classic bike show.

Since then he has filled coaches umpteen times each year and taken them on everything from seaside away days to two-week holidays all over Britain and Europe. Mr Douglas, now retired and living in Cotherstone, has handed his profits to the dale's cancer research fundraisers.

He isn't sure how much he's donated, but in the past two years alone his total is £7,500 and he's heading for another whacking sum this year. He goes on many of the trips with his wife Vera. But instead of sitting back like other passengers, the happy wanderer can often be seen serving coffee, selling raffle tickets and acting as a genial host as the miles slip by. So far this year, there have been ventures to Dublin, Holland and Paris. Coming up are others to Austria and Cologne as well as to events around the UK. The luxury coaches are all from Burrells of Newsham. "A lot of people have been coming with us time after time and year after year," he told me. "We're like a bunch of friends now. Some bring me prizes for the raffles, which help to increase the profits. I started this by chance after that first trip but I thoroughly enjoy it now."

Tickets are often snapped up as soon as trips are announced. Details of those available can be gathered from him on (01833) 650638 or Burrells on (01833) 621302.

A new football team has made a reasonable start in Gainford with a win, two draws and two defeats from five friendlies. But it still has a major problem: it has no pitch to call its own. Manager Chris Kingsley and coach Matthew Grapes feel the Academicals will do well when they join a Sunday league this autumn, but first they must find a flat field on which they can play home matches. Mr Kingsley, a battling midfielder, told me, "Hopefully someone with a piece of land will come to our rescue. We hope to start a junior side to give local lads something to do, and we'd be happy to see the field used for other sports too. It would be a great village amenity." Anyone with an idea can contact him on (01325) 730856. Striker Dave Vayro has banged in seven goals so far, so there are hopes that he'll notch many more when villagers can turn out to cheer him along on home soil. Ally Logan is skipper of the lineup, which ranges from teenagers to Andrew Forrest, still snuffing out opposing attacks at 38.

* I'll be glad to see anyone who calls with snippets of news at The Northern Echo office at 36 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, on Mondays and Tuesdays, telephone (01833) 638628.