Two men from the east of Scotland are to undertake a gruelling cross-country trek in June to raise money for Help For Heroes.
Andy Jarret from Arbroath and Andy Milne from Portlethen will begin their marathon at dawn on June 20 at the summit of 4294-foot Ben MacDui and will finish 70 miles further on, at Spey Bay on the Moray coast.
The challenge will see them hike from the UK’s second highest peak before picking up mountain bikes for the next 25-mile section from Abernethy to Advie, when they will then take to the water on kayak for the remaining 40 miles along the River Spey.
D. C. Thomson journalist Andy Jarret has accompanied the Royal Marines from 45 Commando at RM Condor in Arbroath on overseas operations including Kosovo and Afghanistan.
He said, “Andy and I are under no illusions that it will be a tough day and that it could take us around 16 hours to complete.
“We’ve both done a fair bit of kayaking and hiking, but nothing of this magnitude in a single outing.
“The weather will play a huge part and could make the going very difficult if conditions are adverse. Saying that it will be nothing compared to what some of our badly injured service personnel have to endure on a daily basis.”
Mr Milne, a technical manager with Aberdeen-based oil company Dril-Quip, was formerly a member of Scotland’s Territorial Army parachute battalion, 15 Para.
He said he was inspired to do something after watching the documentary Wounded that featured two soldiers badly injured in Helmand Province.
“Another reason for me wanting to take part is that I know the family of Lance Corporal Allan Douglas of The Highlanders, who was killed near Basra in 2006,” he said. “They lived round the corner from where I grew up in Aberdeen’s Northfield. He was just a young lad.”
Anyone who would like to support the challenge by making a donation can do so online at www.bmycharity.com/summit2sea.
A portion of the money raised will be given to Harden Troop, RM Condor’s rehabilitation group for commandos battling back from combat injury.