AN appeal to raise enough money for a sixth Ipswich Star guide dog is today less than �200 from its target just three months after being launched.

Thanks to the sterling efforts of six intrepid fundraisers who completed the Coniston Challenge, a further �1,500 has been added to the fund – meaning it now stands at �4,854 and is aiming to reach �5,000.

Wayne Harvey, 39, Hannah Parker, 24, Craig Allard, 24, Gemma Allard, 29, Kerry Allard, 21, and Adam Constable, 22, took on the exciting but demanding charity challenge in the Lake District.

They had to hike to the summit of the 2,634ft high Old Man of Coniston, undertake a 12km mountain bike ride through the Grizedale Forest, and kayak 1km across Coniston Water.

The team, representing East and Mid Suffolk Guide Dogs group, completed the task in six hours 20 minutes.

“It was a fantastic effort and I am so proud of them all,” said Penny Parker, from the group.

“They all said it was harder than they expected but were chuffed to have finished.

“Wayne kept them all together and definitely kept them going when they wanted to give up.”

Of the 38 teams taking part, they were top individual team for fundraising – raising �4,000 in total, of which �2,500 goes to the national Guide Dogs and �1,500 to the Ipswich Star appeal.

Overall, the event is expected to have raised almost �100,000 for the charity.

This autumn a new guide dog puppy will arrive to follow in the footsteps of previous dogs Star, Faith, and Sterling, and current pup Robson, who will then move on to the next stage of his training.

The money has already been raised for the next pup, the fifth Ipswich Star pup, thanks to generous Star readers and a variety of businesses, community organisations and fundraising events.

? To donate to the Ipswich Star Guide Dog Appeal, send your cheques – made payable to Guide Dogs – to Richard Cornwell, Felixstowe editor, Felixstowe Star, 172 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 7DU.