FUN, frolics and a fair bit of madness were on show at the third It’s a Knockout charity challenge last Sunday.

Teams of children and adults took part in the event at the OA Sports Club in St Albans as part of Crohn’s and Colitis UK’s third annual challenge.

The Potato Salads were the winning children’s team, beating off competition from 15 other teams. The Zingy Girls took the prize for raising the most sponsorship.

The adults kicked off in the hot afternoon sun with To Dare is to Do storming to victory. For the team from Debenhams Ottaway Solicitors it was a tremendous feat having come last in 2011.

For the Herts Ad Pirates there was little swashbuckling to be done as the final approached. Beset with wardrobe malfunctions and a crew who looked as though they were trying to gain extra points in the wet t-shirt competition, the team had to change tactics early on.

Former reporter on the paper, Natalie Dearman – aka Pigeon McGraw – said: “We realised very quickly our chances of winning were slim so our only other option was to enjoy it. This wasn’t difficult at all; we loved it.”

Cap’n Scurvy Barnacle, known during the week as editor of the Herts Advertiser Matt Adams, praised the organisers for putting on such a fun event.

He said: “We all had a marvellous time getting into the swing of things. Everybody was so enthusiastic and although we came ninth, there’s no doubting our team’s dedication.”

The Alban Arena’s team, Widow Twanky and the Twankettes, officially made second place their home by taking the ‘almost but not quite’ position for the second year running.

The event raises money for Crohn’s and Colitis, the St Albans based charity which supports people affected by the bowel conditions – that is roughly 5,000 people in Hertfordshire.

You can still sponsor the Herts Ad Pirates – all money goes to the charity – just visit www.justgiving.com/teamHertsAd