A group of local veterans have raised more than £4,000 for an armed forces charity after trekking 64 miles around the perimeter of the Salisbury Plain Training Area in under 24 hours.
Operation Walk the Plain was completed by members of the West Wilts Walk, Talk and Brew club, which meets monthly in Warminster, to mark its first anniversary.
Five veterans took part, although due to previous injuries two were forced to withdraw during the challenge. Three went on to complete the route in 23 hours and 45 minutes.
The team consisted of Stephen Belle, Richard Crowther, Steven Boyde, Mark Woodthorpe and Gary Gass, and raised funds for Who Dares Cares (WDC), a charity that runs walking groups and supports veterans and emergency service workers with PTSD.
“The total is still rising but up to now the team have raised £4,445 for WDC,” said Gary Gass, who runs the Warminster group.
“On behalf of WDC I would like to thank everyone who has donated. It means a lot and was a driving force for the team to complete the challenge. It is also critical in ensuring we can fund support for armed forces and blue light veterans who suffer from PTSD.
“I would also like to give a special thank you to The Cock Inn Warminster, Morson Technical Solutions and Saab UK for their significant donations.”
He also thanked Susan Belle and Becky Gass for supporting the walkers with food and hydration throughout the challenge.
“The support is just as important as the people who undertake the challenge,” he added.
To donate to the fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/operation-walk-the-plain
