UK soldiers rise to the Sport Relief challenge

A group of soldiers are getting ready for a gruelling 5,800 km cycle ride and rowing challenge, which is hoped to raise £1,500 for Sport Relief.

The troupe of ten members of the 11 Light Brigade will be arising at 5.30am every morning from today (March 18th) onwards to cycle 60km per day, BBC Berkshire reports.

They will then row the remaining distance in order to mirror the length of the journey from their base in Lashkar Gar, Afghanistan back to their headquarters in Aldershot, Hampshire.

Kristen Pierson-Taylor organised the event. She said: "The people back in the UK have shown and continue to give fantastic support to British troops both at home and abroad."

She added that she wanted to create a challenge that would enable the soldiers to help others - and Sport Relief provided the perfect opportunity.

Meanwhile, former soldier Lee Corbett is currently walking the entire coast of mainland UK to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity.

Posted by Samantha Thompson

related articles

• Troops tackle dangerous brownout with new technology
• Afghanistan soldiers raise money for Comic Relief
• New aircraft 'completes first Afghanistan mission'
• Service personnel run half-marathon relay for charity
• Edinburgh to host Armed Forces Day celebrations