FOUR generations of men from the same Okehampton family put their best foot forward last Saturday for Hospiscare’s annual Men’s Walk.

The Penna family all took part in the 8.5-mile walk via Meldon for the Exeter-based hospice charity which had cared for two close family members during their final days.

They met up outside the Okehampton College entrance on Mill Lane. The circular route led them up to Meldon Viaduct and then back down via Meldon village and pond. As the wind got up later in the day, they altered their route a little to avoid recrossing the viaduct, finishing at Okehampton Post Office in the town centre.

The walk coincided with the Six Nations Rugby Tournament England versus Ireland match — and everyone taking part got a pasty, a pint and a local beer to enjoy afterwards.

Geoff Penna, 76, took part with his son Paul, 57, grandsons Kevin and Darren, 39 and 37, as well as Darren’s son Josh, ten. They were joined by Geoff’s nephew Steve Penna, and friends Kevin Glover, Greg Gay and Steve Nosworthy, all from the Okehampton area.

‘What a wonderful day we had,’ said Geoff, speaking on Sunday.

‘We were out for about four and a half hours and covered about 8.5 miles. The rain stayed away until we were safely back but the wind got up earlier so changed the route a little so we did not have to recross Meldon Viaduct.

‘Instead of going through the bluebell woods we came down through Meldon village and down to Meldon pond and out on to the road there and then through Mine House Farm. At the moment I cannot tell you how much we raised because there is money still coming in, but I can tell you all the walkers paid £20 each to put themselves through the pain.’

He explained that they were joined on their walk by two dogs, Lynx and Tes and added that he would like to thank the kind woman who took the group’s photo at Meldon Viaduct.

They are already planning their next fundraiser, the Ten Pub Walk for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust. Geoff said they were waiting to hear whether it would be on this year as usual in July, but plan to organise their own walk in any case.