Bas Finney, 64, who runs TFM Vehicle Specialists in Pickering accused friend Phil Fisher of being “a tight so-and-so” when he only sponsored his son £10 for doing a walk from Northallerton to Pickering and back last year.

But Phil, 63, owner of East Yorkshire Farm Services in the town, was quick to respond. He suggested the pair tackle the 45 mile walk from Northallerton to Pickering themselves as a fundraiser – and that’s just what they did in September.

They completed the distance in three days and have raised a mammoth £3,850 for their chosen charities.

Now the money has been shared between the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund based at Leeds General Infirmary where Phil’s first grandson, Jack, had major open heart surgery at just eight days old and the L/Cpl Ben Hyde Memorial Trust set up in memory of Basil’s 23-year-old nephew from Northallerton, who was killed five years ago while serving with the Royal Military Police in Iraq.

Phil said: “I can’t believe how generous people have been. People were stopping as we arrived in Pickering at the end of the walk and giving us money.

“What was a moment of jest last year has brought amazing results and we both want to thank everyone who has supported us.”