Friends Sallie Connery and Liz Linford have raised over £10,000 for Katharine House by taking part in the annual Monte Carlo or Bust Rally - a 1,000+ mile race through Europe, culminating in a drive around the world-famous Monaco Formula 1 street circuit on Monte Carlo's star-studded seafront.

The rally is a light-hearted event with over 80 teams of competitors decorating their cars, dressing up as movie stars or superheroes and taking part in challenges much like those on BBC's Top Gear.

Sallie & Liz mid-challenge high up in the Swiss mountains.

Sallie, a hairdresser at the Hospice, joined her racing-driver friend Liz to take on the challenge in aid of Katharine House having seen first-hand the care the hospice gives to people facing life-limiting illnesses in and around Banbury.

Mrs. Connery said; "It was a great opportunity to raise funds for an essential support service for the local community. We hope that we never need their help, but for those who really need it, the hospice creates a sanctuary where patients and their families can make the most of their time. Liz and I have known each other for quite a few years and she's a keen rally driver - so she was perfect for the challenge of driving to Monte Carlo."

Chris Higgins, Communications Officer at the hospice, said; "We are so grateful to Sallie and Liz for their fundraising efforts. The £10,000 they've raised could run all our hospice services for a whole day, meaning we could carry on caring for almost 300 patients and their families in their homes, care homes, hospitals and in our hospice in Adderbury. They've been so positive and inspirational, coming up with so many exciting ways to raise even more than just the sponsorship money from the rally; everything from pub quizzes to talks, and showing off their car in market squares in local towns. It's been great to keep up with their activities over the last few months, and we can't wait to see what they come up with next!"

Sallie & Liz at Katharine House Hospice with their Mazda MX-5.>brt>
(L-R: Sallie Connery, Chris Higgins - Communications Officer, Wendy Crosse - Lottery Administrator, Liz Linford)