Charity Marathon at 6mph

Legion pair raise cash for the Poppy Appeal

A pair of go-slow pensioners were given a heroes' welcome after a 60 mile charity marathon on mobility scooters.

Frank Egan and Graham McIsaac braved wind and rain and pushed their 6mph scooters to the limits on the journey from Manchester to Blackpool.

They overcame dismal conditions, flat batteries and even a breakdown to complete the 14 hour trek.

Frank, 84, a Second World War veteran who served in the RAF, and his 69 yar old pal Graham, made the epic journey to help retired servicemen as well as users of a wheelchair mobility scheme.

The pals, who are members of the Royal British Legion Northenden Branch, set off from their local cenotaph.  They endured torrential rain, steep pavement drops and mechanical breakdowns.

Graham, a retired engineer, even had to carry out repairs when his electric buggy broke down on the pavement.#Supported by fellow member Joseph Heaps, who carried back-up batteries in his car, the pair followedthe A6 East Lans road, through Preston and on into Blackpool.

They finally arrived in the early hours and were given a heroes' welcome by veterans and other members at the resort's Royal British Legion Branch.

The men have already raised several hundred pounds for the Legion's Poppy Appeal and the Shopmobility charity - and donations are still rolling in.

Frank, from Wythenshawe, served in the Mediterranean with the RAF between 1943 and 1947 and has been a scooter user for 10 years.  He was inspired to take the challenge after the death of his wife last year.

His pal Graham, from Timperley, leads the Trafford branch of the mobility charity, which lends scooters and wheelchairs to disabled shoppers.