Pensioners complete Lands End to John O'Groats challenge

Jacki, from Staines Road, Bedfont, said they were shocked to be tracked by the press along the way but spurred on by the support they received.

"We did feel like celebrities. A lot of the places we went we were treated like celebrities and pampered by people impressed by our challenge," added the British Ariways customer services manager.

"It was an incredibly interesting journey. We all lead such busy lives we forget how kind, helpful and generous people are in this country. People would give us money when we were on the buses, and I found myself banking money on route."

The women walked or caught buses all the way and kept the cost down by using their free travel passes and begging for cheap or even free accommodation.

They planned to catch buses all the way but ended up walking about 50 miles of the 874 mile trip - which took them 10 days, seven hours and five minutes.

"We had the route planned out but on the first day we missed our bus from Truro so we had to change our whole route," said Jacki.

"You think you know when the next bus is and then it doesn't turn up or you've just missed it so we had to work on a day-by-day basis in the end."

Jacki and Pat, who lives in Kent, raised more than £5,000 for children's charity Get Kids Going, which raises money for children who want to do sport but need sports wheelchairs.

To donate money or to read more about Jacki and Pat's journey on their blog, visit www.getkidsgoing.com.