A 150ft reverse bungee jump is not the traditional way to raise cash for charity, but for one couple it was the highlight of a whistle-stop tour of the UK's theme parks.

Janet and Graham Bailey, of Thrush Lane, Bury, visited 16 theme parks in one week to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Graham braved more than 25 white-knuckle rides throughout the country, including Blackpool, Devon and Scarborough, after market trader Janet spent months organising the challenge.

The reverse bungee jump in Great Yarmouth proved the most memorable challenge for Graham.

He said: "Rollercoasters don't bother me but this was frightening and a completely different experience! The manager even paid the £25 ticket to go towards our funds."

The one-week marathon did have its drawbacks as partially-disabled Graham grew more tired. "At one point I did want to quit but then I thought about the people I was raising money for and thought what right did I have to give up?" he explained.

The couple are hoping to have raised more than £300 and are already making plans to repeat the experience next year -- but are using the following 12 months to recover.

"The trip started out as a fun idea to raise some cash but turned into a huge challenge and a life changing experience. The kindness and generosity of the people we met gave me a new outlook on life," Graham said.

"I would like to say a big thank-you to everyone involved and most of all to my wife.

"She is a diamond and without her I could never have pulled it off."