Name game counts for a holiday with a difference

11:00am Friday 29th August 2008

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A YOUNG family from Whitchurch is about to set off on a wacky adventure inspired by a TV comedian.

The Wright family will visit the other eight places in England and Wales that they know are the namesakes of their north Hampshire home town.

Shropshire, Bristol, Devon, Warwickshire, Pembrokeshire, Herefordshire, Glamorgan, Buckinghamshire, and, of course, Hampshire

Where you can find Whitchurch

As if that was not enough of a challenge, Beth and Steve, both 26, and their eight-month-old son, Dylan, will complete the adventure entirely by public transport.

From Sunday, they will spend 10 days hopping on buses and trains to places such as Cardiff, Devon and Bristol.

They will hunt out suburbs, towns and villages called Whitchurch, taking photographs by signposts as evidence of their visits.

The idea came to the young couple after author/comedian Dave Gorman famously went on a mission to meet 54 of his namesakes. His adventure led to a successful television show, stage act and book called Are You Dave Gorman?

The family hopes to raise £250 for local baby and toddler group the Testbourne Teapot, of which Mrs Wright is a committee member. Any additional money raised will be donated to Youth Alive Ghana.

Mrs Wright said: "I think some of the people we know think we're mad as it isn't the most conventional summer holiday.

"We were talking one night and my husband and I are both big fans of Dave Gorman and the idea suddenly came to us.

"We wanted to do it with Dylan while he's still young because he can't walk or complain!

"The reason we're doing it by public transport is because of ecological issues.

"It will be a lot of fun. As well as fundraising, we will get to see some lovely parts of the UK - although they won't be as nice as the Whitchurch in Hampshire, obviously."

You can sponsor the Wrights' adventure online at www.easysponsorship.com/sponsor/bethandsteve/9whitchurchadventure