Caravan of love built as tribute

A grandfather has spent a summer on the road in Staffordshire after building a Romany caravan from scratch.

Alan Cooch, aged 61, took on the project after the death of his 59-year-old wife Janet two-and-a-half years ago.

He has spent the last seven weeks going to Long Sutton in Lincolnshire and back collecting en route for the First Responders' group in his home village of Gnosall.

The 9ft caravan has been pulled by six-year-old Dales pony Hoof and Alan's other companions on the road have been his dogs Syd, a terrier, and lurcher Fudge.

"I have had a wonderful experience – it has been hard but very enjoyable. The animals have been splendid company.

"I got a fantastic reaction from people as we trotted along and the response in donations has been marvellous," said Alan, a retired painter and decorator.

He was joined for the final weekend of his travels by 11-year-old grandson Callum Wingate from Gnosall who had helped him with the building work on the caravan at his home in Knightly Close. Alan said it had taken him about two years to do the construction work.

"I made it from the dray up," he added. "Taking to the road in a Romany caravan is something that I had always wanted to do one day. When Janet passed away I decided it was time to do it. I also wanted to help First Responders because of what they did for her."

Alan has three grown-up children and five grandchildren.

Alan also painted the caravan inside and out in bright traditional Romany style. He slept on board and cooked his meals on the roadside.