SAPPERS from 3 Armoured Squadron, 22 Engineer Regiment based in Perham Down on Salisbury Plain ran through Crediton during their charity 880 mile run from John O' Groats to Land's End in just 11 days.
It was the Wiltshire Engineers who built the footbridge at Workington in Cumbria during the floods last November and this formed part of the route which took the runners through Scotland, Cumbria, Bristol and Devon finishing in Cornwall.
The runners were raising money for three service charities, The Army Benevolent Fund, Ssafa and Help for Heroes and the Ronald MacDonald House Charity.
The Ronald MacDonald House Charity, at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital is a residential home for parents visiting their sick children and is a cause close to the hearts of the Royal Engineers. The young son of one of the runners, Sergeant Lee Amey, is being treated there for a rare condition called Apert Syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting the skull, face, hands and feet.
The 32 Sappers, who took part in the run as a relay of groups of four, stopped for a change over at Crediton Hospital, where they were offered refreshments by hospital staff.
They were greeted by members of the Royal British Legion, Nigel Cooper (Crediton Branch Chairman), John Higgs (Vice Chairman) and Derek Rowe (branch secretary) together with hospital staff and patients.
Lieutenant Graham Jackson, said: "It has been awesome."
He added: "It is very pleasant in this area because the trees offer a bit of shade from the hot sun."
The Sappers spent some time chatting to everyone before setting off.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at http://www.justgiving.com/exerciselongrun">www.justgiving.com/exerciselongrun .
Nora Parminter