A trio of women have proved that Angry Birds know how to have fun too!

Judy Pride, local community fundraiser for the Children's Hospice South West (CHSW), Ann Keelan from Tavistock, and Lindsey Svensson from Okehampton, decorated their car — and themselves — with characters from the famous Angry Birds gaming phenomenon to take part in the Barmy to Barcelona Wacky Rally in July.

Going more than the extra mile for CHSW, they have so far raised more than £2,300 in aid of the regional charity.

Judy said: 'We are a team of ladies of a certain age. We may not be angry, but you don't want to get in our way when we're on a mission!

'Ann was looking for a life challenge and decided the Barmy to Barcelona Wacky Rally would foot the bill. Lindsey and I loved the idea so much that we agreed to join her. 

'After securing official permission from Rovio Mobile, the creators of the Angry Birds app we decked out Ann's old Saab with the requisite green pigs, wooden huts and eponymous Angry Birds and then got ready for the off.'

 Despite having 244,000 miles on the clock, the trusty 'banger' showed its worth, tackling a route of 1,500 miles across nine countries — via one of the highest Alpine passes, the French Riviera, and the Costa Brava — to get from Lille to Barcelona in just four days.  On top of that, the trio did another 700 miles getting from Tavistock to the start, and back again from Barcelona.

 'The drives were very long, very tiring, and at many times exhilarating as the scenery was amazing, especially in the Alps. That was the most memorable day, driving from Sauze d'Oulx in Italy to Arles in France via the Gran St Bernard Pass. 

'Ann had always wanted to do this part of the drive, so we let her do the most driving on this day although Lindsey also wanted to overcome her fear of heights — and did! 

'Leaving that morning, loads of the locals and visitors lined the roads and it was rather like being in a carnival — horns blasting, lots of waving and laughter, great fun!

 'The camaraderie on the rally among the teams was fantastic and we all kept an eye out for each other. We had great fun watching the look on the faces of other drivers when they saw us, especially when they drove past us on the toll roads, then dropped back so that they could go past again to take photos.

 'We finished in Barcelona at around 1pm on the last day, sailing past several other teams to hoots and waves as our car was going so well.' 

The team expressed thanks to their corporate sponsors Chris Hamley Saab Specialist Ltd and Ginsters of Cornwall and everyone who had sponsored them.

All the money raised from the charity challenge will go towards helping to make the most of short and precious lives across the South West.  If you would like to help and show your support for the Angry Birds team you can donate online at http://www.justgiving.com/angrybirds">www.justgiving.com/angrybirds

To find out more about the work of CHSW, visit http://www.chsw.org.uk">www.chsw.org.uk