FUNDRAISING on doctors' orders has produced a £1,800 tonic for Zoe's Place.

A total of 80 men and women have taken part in the three-week sponsored exercise on behalf of the baby hospice, based in Normanby.

The eight teams of ten have gone on walking, swimming, cycling and rowing trips at venues across east Cleveland to raise the cash.

The 80 people - divided into groups of ten - have each been referred to the fundraising exercise scheme by GPs as part of a healing or preventative measure.

Louise Coupland, Redcar and Cleveland Council's sports and health co-ordinator, explained the Exercise on Prescription scheme has been organised in partnership with Tees Valley Leisure. She said that as an added incentive to the participants it was decided to establish a money-raising challenge.

One participant was Grangetown mother Dot Hart, who suffered a brain haemorrhage in September, 2001. Her group raised £700 in sponsorship for their efforts at the Eston Sports Academy.

Dot Hart said: "I've been on the exercise bike and the treadmill and try to go a little bit further every time. I'm getting better and even if it's only one per cent each time, it's worth it. I raised £92.60 - so that's a few nappies for those babies."

Pensioner Mary Crowe and the group who attend Oakley Walk Community Centre in Eston walked to Flatts Lane Country Park at Normanby and back, raising £450 for the four miles, with Mary contributing the top individual total for any of the groups with £221.

Louise Coupland said: "I think the total mileage of all ten groups must have been more than 500, which is marvellous. The choice of Zoe's Place was a group decision and I was expecting to raise £500. I just want to thank everyone for their efforts."