MOST people let the car or the train take the strain when they go on a business trip - but not enthusiastic Royal British Legion fundraiser Colin Northridge.

Colin, 52, has strapped on his roller-blades and is skating 45 miles from York Minster to the Royal British Legion's May Annual Conference in Bridlington to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal.

The Legion's county field officer for North and East Yorkshire was sent off by its county president, Major General K Burch. His journey was due to finish today at the Spa Royal Hall conference venue in Bridlington.

The venture is only one of numerous fundraising challenges taken on by Colin, which include seven London Marathons, a bungee jump and a 200-mile run.

Colin's amazing fundraising feats are now part of Legion tradition. Colin said: "I raise more than £3,000 each year towards the £48 million the Legion spends every year on welfare support and advice for ex-Service people and their dependants."

He said he had been involved with the Royal British Legion for more than 20 years, and stressed the huge benefits he has seen it provide in the fields of pensions and benefits, job retraining, convalescent care and much more.

"Whether the problem is big or small, the Legion is always there to help the ex-Service community," he said.

Updated: 11:33 Friday, May 24, 2002