A TRIO of Colchester branch managers took on a road trip of the British coast to raise £2,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Mark Krysinski, 51, of City Plumbing, on Whitehall Road, embarked on a week-long journey with colleagues Darren Bradbury, 43, and Sean Harnwell, 36, which will take them from Colchester to Folkestone and back – the long way.

They decided to embark on the Drive the Coast of Britain Challenge to support their company's five-year nominated charity and sponsorship has so far reached £1,600.

The 3,000 mile drive was completed in a donated Mercedes Sprinter van.

The managers, who have nicknamed the adventure Essex boys on tour, drove through iconic cities and towns like Newcastle, Morecambe, John O’ Groats, Ben Nevis and Porthmadog in Wales.

Mr Krysinski, who has been a manager for seven years, said they were inspired after visiting a Teenage Cancer Trust unit.

Braintree and Witham Times:

He said: “These units are making young people’s lives so much better and once you’ve seen how they improve patients’ treatment, it’s difficult not to want to do something.

“It was quite emotional. Teenagers don’t deserve to have cancer. In fact nobody does but seeing them being supported really inspired us.

“It’s the company charity so each branch can raise the money how they like, but this is the first time we’ve come together for a challenge.”

In between dodgy phone signals and pot noodles, the trio caught up with family members and friends through their busy Facebook and Twitter pages.

They even had a shout out from Radio Two afternoon presenter Steve Wright after texting into the show.

He added: “There was three of us fellas living out of a white van, which is far from luxurious.

“We each drove for four hours and then parked up at the side of the road at around 10pm and bedded down inside our sleeping bags at the back.

“One night was challenging because it was chucking it down with rain and we parked on a layby of a very busy road, which was a big mistake.

“But then we finished day two on Tuesday in Betty Hill, which is a village in Scotland, and the scenery was absolutely fantastic.”

To catch up on the Coast Challenge, tweet @drivethecoast.

To donate, text WGLL99 with your amount to 70070.