STRONGMEN from Didcot carried 85lb kerbstones for up 12 hours to help an autistic child.

The Thong Rangers performed the physical feat at the Marlborough Club, in Broadway, taking it in turns to run from one end of the car park to the other.

Hundreds of passers-by stopped to watch the thong-wearing fundraisers on Saturday and donated more than £2,000 to help adapt the home of three-year-old Kaylan Northing, from Ladygrove, who has a severe form of the condition.

Organiser Cliff Oakes, 46, of Kynaston Road, Didcot, said: “Sixteen of us started, but only six completed the challenge.

“The last six hours were tough.

“The first half we were still pretty fresh but then your body starts to get a bit tired. I think we raised well over the £2,000 mark.

“I never stop thinking up ideas and challenges.

“I try to think about it from the public’s point of view – something which stops people in their tracks and something they think we deserve money for.

“We always get a fantastic reaction in Didcot.”

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk