Six hundred soggy fundraisers waded, crawled, clamboured and vaulted their way through nearly five miles of muddy obstacles to clear just under £100k in an inaugural charity event.

The Hospice of St Francis’ first Mud Pack Challenge took place over the weekend at Ashridge House.

Men and women from all over the hospice’s catchment and beyond took part, including Girlz4D, all from Redbourn, who have raised more than £17,000 so far in memory of much-loved dad-of-three Darren Duddy, who passed away at the Hospice in February this year at the age of just 44.

Mum-of-two Lesley Kinsella took part with Darren’s widow, Sian. She said: "Darren would have just loved this event.

"He would have done it walking on his hands and in a heartbeat for someone else. It’s been very emotional but it’s been so much fun and it’s our way of showing Sian we are here for her.

"We loved every minute of the haystacks, the skips, the pools, logs and monkey bars and the fire brigade hosing us at the end! We can’t wait to come back and do it next year."

The Hospice of St Francis is the only Hospice with an Inpatient unit that cares for people in the St Albans and Harpenden area. It provides free care for people living with life-shortening illnesses across Herts and Bucks, and supports their families and carers.

Event organiser, Fran Martin, said: "We are so close to reaching £100k, which will pay for two community nurses for a whole year to visit patients in their homes, in care and nursing homes, in GP surgery outreach clinics and as outpatients in our Spring Centre.

"Everyone who took part deserves every penny of their sponsorship. What they put themselves through for the patients and families we care for is amazing.

"So far we know we have raised just under £100k through Just Giving donations and registration fees. With one final push, we can nudge it over that magical figure."

Confirming that the event will now be a firm fixture in the charity’s fundraising calendar, she added: "We just couldn’t have hoped for a more perfect day with more passionate support. The team spirit, buzz and atmosphere was phenomenal and the feedback from all our Mud Packers has been fantastic.

"A huge thank you to Paul Stevens PT who designed such a fabulous course and to Ashridge House for providing the most incredible venue.

"We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity and support we’ve received from local businesses donating their time and equipment. Huge thanks to all of them and to all our Mudpackers, sponsors, volunteers, marshals, obstacle providers and stallholders for making it happen."

Sixteen-strong team, the Woodend Waders, from Harpenden, led by mum-of-two Sarah Martin, 40, from Farm Close, took part in memory of Sarah’s late husband Eamonn, who died at the Hospice, aged just 41, just two months ago.

Ms Martin, mum-of-two, said: "We did it because the Hospice was amazing to us and we need to keep it going so it can help other people.

"They managed his pain beautifully and gave us another two months of life together. He wasn’t worried about dying but he was worried about suffering and thanks to the Hospice, he wasn’t in pain and he was surrounded by his family.

"We can’t thank them enough and this is our way of giving something back. The Mud Pack was such good fun. We loved every minute of the haystacks, the skips, the pools, logs and monkey bars and especially the fire brigade hosing us at the end!

"We stuck together, we all got round and we can’t wait to come back and do it again next year."

Sainsbury’s in Harpenden entered a team called The Dirty Dozen, with mum Caroline Atkins and her son James taking part in memory of Caroline's late husband Paul, 54, who only died on June 1 at the hospice.