BBC Race Across the World winners reveal plans for £20,000 prize money

Race Across the World champions Caroline and Tom Bridge have revealed their touching plans for their £20,000 prize money.

The mother-and-son pair competed in the fifth series of the popular BBC programme earlier this year, which saw five duos attempting to reach the southernmost point of India after starting at the Great Wall of China.

The participants, stripped of smartphones and bank cards, depended entirely on the modest budget provided in order to claim the substantial prize fund.

Following a tense finale, Caroline and Tom secured the jackpot after becoming the first duo to arrive at the final checkpoint in Kanniyakumari.

Sisters Elizabeth and Letitia finished just 19 minutes behind them, followed by young couple Fin and Sioned, and brothers Brian and Melvyn, reports Plymouth Live.

Speaking on the red carpet at the National Television Awards last week (September 10), Caroline and Tom disclosed how they've spent their winnings.

"I've had to pay off some debts, and Thomas has started a business. It's called Rugga Rural," Caroline said, with Tom adding: "I've started a business selling handmade Indian rugs."

Caroline continued: "And we're doing a lot of charity work, which we love. Because we said in India when people helped us, we said we'd pass it on. We couldn't pay them so that's what we're trying to do."

Reflecting on their time on the show, Caroline explained that she got into the mindset of winning right from the start of their journey.

"I knew we'd win. I set off with the mindset that if I'm doing this, I'm going to win. But I couldn't tell anybody. We were all competitive, I just had to win," she expressed.

Tom chimed in: "I wasn't quite as confident, I was there just to have fun. But we won and it was great."

Discussing the impact of the show on their relationship, Caroline continued: "We're very happy to be in each other's company. We cherish the time a bit more because we've gone back to life where we just pass each other, and back to work and things like that.

"But we do cherish our special time together and it's this incredible memory that just can't be repeated. It was just amazing."

Tom echoed her sentiments, stating: "We just make time for each other. We'll go have a coffee or we go to the local pub and have a drink, which we never would have done before. Played backgammon, just spend some time with each other - it's nice."

Caroline concluded: "We always end up having a laugh and being able to talk. It's really nice."

Race Across the World is available to stream on BBC iPlayer