Ex-servicemen in gruelling charity challenge

Posted by The Journal on Feb 11, 10 01:50 PM in News

From right to left: Robert Davidson, Craig Hamlington and David McCulla, who are raising money for Help the Heroes Determined ex-servicemen are hoping to complete the challenge of a lifetime by walking 82 miles in just a day to give a forces' charity a boost.

Ex-soldier Robert Davidson, 32, and his team David McCulla, of Newbiggin, in Northumberland, and Craig Hamlington, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, are about to walk the length of Hadrian's Wall in just 24-hours.

In a race against time, the three will be expected to complete the trek in cold conditions while battling with uneven terrain and lugging heavy packs up steep inclines to raise money for Help for Heroes.

Robert, who lives in Forest Hall, North Tyneside, said: "It will be a gruelling task but I am sure the lads and I are up to it. We'll just have to go hell for leather in that time.

"It's difficult to train for something like this. You just have to put yourself in the right mind frame and do it.

"I run about 20 miles a week and hopefully that should be enough to survive the walk.

"I left the Army two years ago and I just want to give something to the lads that are fighting in Afghanistan."

Most people complete the trek in two to seven days but ex-Scots guards Robert and David, and ex-royal electrical and mechanical engineer Craig are not afraid of a challenge.

They will attempt to walk 3.5 miles every hour to ensure they complete the trial in time.

Robert said: "The only time we will stop is to refuel and have something to eat."

The three have raised ÃÂ£400 so far for Help for Heroes and are hoping to raise ÃÂ£3,000 by the end of the trek.

Their expedition will take place from Saturday, April 3, until the following day.

If you would like to make a donation for Help for Heroes you can log on to www.justgiving.com/84miles24hours.

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