Former Royal Marines from Tayside will be in London today to hand over two cars that will be used to transport injured marines to hospital appointments.
The Tayside men undertook a gruelling physical challenge in May that raised more than £30,000 towards the cost of the new vehicles.
“We raised far more than we ever thought we would,” said Conrad Trickett, now a chief inspector with Tayside Police.
The cash has gone directly to the long-term lease of cars that will be used for supporting Hasler Company, a Royal Marine unit established to help aid the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of marines needing individual attention.
The project is supported by Commando 999, a group dedicated to former Royal Marines Commandos serving (or who have served) with any of the UK emergency services.
Their mission is to raise funds for the Royal Marines Association and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust fund.
Mr Trickett, Ally Taylor and Paul Castle were due to fly out of Dundee this morning to officially hand over the cars to Hasler Company.
The men were members of the Trans Tayside Challenge team, a group of former Royal Marines now serving primarily in Tayside Police and Tayside Fire and Rescue.
On May 21, they set off from the western shores of Loch Tay, paddled canoes the length of the loch and continued along the river Tay to Grandtully a distance of 27 miles. They exchanged boats for bikes and set off for Arbroath, cycling the 60 miles.
From Arbroath, they ran the eight miles to Lunan Bay.Speed marchTo cap the 100-mile route, the whole team came together to speed march the final six miles to Montrose and the sea. Today they plan to meet up with Lorraine Kelly at New Scotland Yard to hand over the fruits of their efforts.
Mr Trickett said, “In Tayside we have strong links with 45 Commando based at Royal Marines Condor, Arbroath, and it seemed right to do something locally for such a worthwhile cause -especially at this time when the Commando Brigade, including 45 Commando and reservists from Royal Marines Reserve Scotland, are once again deployed to Helmand Province.
“The team has representatives from Tayside Police, Tayside Fire and Rescue and the Scottish Ambulance Service and have raised a massive £30,000 to add to the Commando 999 fund as it attempts to raise £1 million for the corps by 2014 (the Royal Marines’ 350th birthday).”
Ally Taylor (62) was the oldest participant. Mr Taylor served in the Royal Marines during the early 1970s.
He said, “The challenge demonstrates the underlying ethos of ‘once a marine, always a marine.’
“The challenge was tough, but nothing compared to the challenges faced by some of our injured colleagues rebuilding their lives on return from operations in Afghanistan. It’s the least we can do.”