A BET made half a decade ago saw people brave the wet weather to walk 12 miles for charity on Good Friday.

The Radley Good Friday Walk entered its 53rd year as residents and community members took part in the annual race for charity.

It began in 1962 when two punters at the Bowyer Arms in town bet they could beat each other at walking to Oxford and back.

Yesterday 41 residents made the same round trip to raise cash for Leah’s Wish, a cystic fibrosis charity; Cancer Research UK and the Radley Youth Club.

Organiser Carina Coppock, 29, said they had raised more than a £1,000 so far and were aiming to raise more throughout the Easter weekend.

She added: “The race went really well, it was absolutely brilliant. We have received generous donations for raffle prizes and from Surecare Homecare.

“Everyone enjoyed it, despite the rain, and we have raised £1,057 for the three charities so far and we aim to raise more through the weekend and then divide it equally.

“Archie Brew, who is 12, was the first person to cross the finish line, which was great to see, and Jessica Long was the first girl to cross the line.

“We have had about 200 to 300 people in the pub after the race and have been doing raffles to raise more money for the three good causes.”

Keith Long, 57, also took part in the walk and has had a close connection with the race since he a was a child.

His grandfather was the landlord in the Bowyer Arms 53 years ago when the race originated.

He said: “I lived in New Road near the pub with my mum and dad and my grandad was the landlord at the pub.

“He organised it and it has been going for 53 years now and we are looking to continue it.

“Last year I got the Sea Cadets to do it in their uniforms.

“I didn’t do it as a boy but now I am doing it with my children.”