TEAMS of courageous fundraisers stepped into the unknown taking part in a gruelling test of endurance and team work.

TEAMS of courageous fundraisers stepped into the unknown taking part in a gruelling test of endurance and team work.

St Elizabeth Hospice held its first ever Great Xscape, with 15 teams of four blindfolded and driven to a secret location in the Suffolk countryside, which unbeknown to them was Shingle Street near Hollesley.

The volunteers were given no guidance as to where they were or the quickest way back to the Maybush Inn in Waldringfield where a huge buffet was ready to welcome them back on Saturday.

Helen Causer, one of the organisers, said everyone had really enjoyed the day and some of the teams got completely lost and others had worked out some interesting ways to return to the starting point.

“Some of the teams have been really clever,” she said. “One team got back by speed boat, and another by rowing boat.

“And the winning team, a group of men dressed as women, managed to convince a woman named Cheryl to drive them back to the Maybush Inn.

“There has been a great atmosphere and the great weather has really helped everyone really enjoy the day.”

The victorious team, from the Framlingham dangerous sports club, made it back to the starting point in just 55 minutes.

The teams were not allowed any help from friends and family and were without money, mobile phones and navigational equipment or even help from a map.

Many took part in fancy dress with cartoon characters, nuns and men dressed as women all making their way through the countryside.

The hospice is hoping to raise around �10,000 to help support local patients who are suffering from life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Have you done anything unusual to raise money for a good cause? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk