THE head of a team of fundraisers who have raised more than £75,000 for charity has been recognised for his incredible efforts.

Bernie Stevenson, 60, from Toppesfield, is one of the founding members of The Red Barrows, who replicate the Red Arrows’ flying displays... with wheel barrows.

He was awarded the Fundraiser of the Year award at Braintree Council’s Volunteer Awards.

Bernie said: “It means an awful lot to me to be appreciated for all of these years of hard work.

“It is almost a pat on the back for all the work we have done.

“Although I did receive the award, this is a team effort and everyone deserves credit.”

The Red Barrows were set up in 2002 and have performed countless displays at shows around the country.

Since then they have raised around £46,000 for Breast Cancer Breakthrough, as well as another £29,000 for various other charities.

Bernie continued: “The charity was sorted out in the pub but we have all been affected by breast cancer in some way, either within our families or somewhere else.

“Unless someone asks us to specifically raise money for another charity we always donate to Breakthrough.

“It has always been a bit of fun for us.

“We do some of the same formations as the real thing with a bit of our own moves as well.

“We are a lot lower and slower than the real thing.”

Due to the rising average age of the crew, members have decided to explore other avenues of fundraising and now play in band Reptile Dysfunction.

“It is very light hearted and we don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we get asked back so we can’t be that bad.

“We need to recruit at least 12 for a squad and to get 12 18-to-30-year-olds from around Toppesfield to give up their weekends is difficult.

“We are not going to let it die though.”

The Gazette named Bernie one of our community heroes in August.