A TEAM of 24 women raised thousands for a good cause by heaving a sleigh across Yate and Chipping Sodbury.

The ladies from Yate's Commando Bootcamp raised £4,500 for the neonatal unit at Southmead Hospital by dragging a handmade cart along with Santa and the Grinch - a total weight of more than 50 stone - across the area on Sunday.

Proceeds will go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Southmead.

The team ran from Yate Town Football Club dressed as reindeers and stopped in various landmarks including Yate Shopping Centre and Chipping Sodbury High Street.

Craig Base of Creative Grain Carpentry made the custom built sleigh and a number of businesses sponsored the ten-mile run which took almost five hours.

Families were given sweets and badges as they were greeted by Santa, the Grinch and the team dressed as reindeer.

Commando Bootcamp has raised more than £23,000 for charity since it was started by ex-marine Lee Ralph during lockdown as a way to help the women with their physical and mental wellbeing.

The team who have previously climbed mountains and carried a 80kg log on a half marathon chose NICU as their Christmas charity in memory of the son of one member of the team and also because many of the fundraisers and their children received care on the ward.

Sian Donoghue gave birth to her son Jack at 23 weeks in Southmead and he was cared for by NICU before sadly passing away eight weeks later.

She said: "It has meant so much to me to be able to raise money for NICU Southmead in memory of my darling little baby angel Jack.

"Especially to do it with such strong women who also have their own stories and not forgetting our incredible Lee Ralph.

"The amount of generosity is incredible and I know it will help so many families to have hope in the future."

Lee added: "The strength in this team is phenomenal. The women in this group are remarkable, they are every day women who do normal jobs and keep homes and families.

"The girls work really hard and embrace training week in week out to make our unique group special. I would like to personally thank each and everyone of them for their commitment."