DAVID Walliams has not been the only person to brave the Thames in the name of charity this week.

Four pals with no experience of rowing took on the river in two two-man canoes.

David Williams, 21, from Carterton, Luke Fry, 20, from Greater Leys, Oxford, Marc Dickinson, 20, of Witney, and Stuart Read, 24, of Eynsham, decided to row from Cricklade, near Swindon, to Teddington Lock in West London for charity Help For Heroes.

Mr Fry said although the weather had been a challenge, it had all been worthwhile.

He said: “Help For Heroes is a fantastic cause.

“A few of our friends have gone on to be soldiers, and having grown up around the Brize Norton and Carterton area, we know how much good work the charity does.

“We didn’t see David Walliams as he left after us. Conditions were pretty bad this week, but you either laugh or cry.

“We have been laughing!”

To donate to the four friends go to bmycharity.com/canoe thethames