A CRUISE in a pink stretch limo was the grand finale for an Orton grandma’s unusual fund-raising mission for street kids in Africa.

Retired teacher Mary Jenkin got behind the wheel of 63 different kind of vehicles in six weeks – one for every year of her age – and raised £2,500 towards a hostel for homeless young boys in Kasese, western Uganda.

A penny farthing, a Model T Ford, a hearse, harvester and an Ullswater steamer were just some of the vehicles Mrs Jenkin drove in what she has described as a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic,” she said. “Everyone has been so generous with friends of friends getting in touch to help me achieve my mission.

"It’s hard to pick a favourite but I did really enjoy the fire engine and the limo – that was a brilliant way to end the experience.”

Despite driving enormous two-ton trucks, Mrs Jenkin said the scariest part of the challenge was riding a penny farthing.

“I was so frightened. It felt like I was 10 feet in the air and I had to have people running alongside me in case I fell off.

"I can safely say I won’t ever be getting back on one of those again!”

The mum-of-four, who works part-time in Orton Stores, said the challenge surprised family and friends as she is known for not being a keen driver.

Half the money raised was sent out to the hostel in October and has been used to build the roof.

She said: “With the rainy season about to start it was important to get the roof done so that the kids can move in. I hope the rest will pay for a solar panel and plumbing.”

Mrs Jenkin and husband Chris, 73, a retired vicar, set up their charity Kasese Street Kids in 2008 after meeting street children, many of whom were suffering from HIV-AIDS or had been abused.

For information about their charity work, visit the blog: kasesestreetkids.blogspot.com.