A TEAM of travel agents from Petersfield have raised enough cash to fund a new dog for charity Canine Partners after taking on a challenge driving around Europe.

The team from Meon Valley Travel took part in the Travel Trade Crusade – a nationwide fundraising event for travel agents.

Teams are challenged to drive around Europe and the team bought an old ambulance to represent the fact that half of the team have emergency medical assistance training.

After travelling across to France on Brittany Ferries, they spent five days driving through France, Germany and Holland.

James Beagrie, managing director of Meon Valley Travel, said: “The travel industry in the UK get together every three years to organise a Travel Trade Crusade.

“We filled ours full of girls and boys in nurses and doctors uniforms and we were sent off to drive around three countries in five days.

“Basically, it’s a bunch of nutjobs in the travel industry doing something for a good cause.” The team raised money for Canine Partners, which provides assistance dogs for people who have physical disabilities and need help and support.

The group set a target of £5,000 and managed to reach it, thanks to the support of customers. That will fund the price of a dog. Now, the team has the challenge of naming a dog.

James added: “It’s all about Canine Partners. It’s a local charity that we were very keen to support because of the good work that they do.

“We often see them walking their dogs around the High Street outside our office in Petersfield. It has just become something dear to our hearts.

“Most of the teams have a target of £1,000.

“But because we had so many people from the travel industry fuelled by good supporters at all levels in the back of this minibus, we were able to increase our target.

“All of the clients, customers and suppliers have been very generous so we were able to hit our target.

“It was an amazing team building experience that did good for charity as well. It’s been wonderful to bring the team together.

“We have been able to share it with our customers and had a wild time doing it.”