Soldier completes West Highland Way in aid of Help for Heroes

A man has completed the entire 96-mile distance of the West Highland Way in Scotland in order to raise as much money as possible for Help for Heroes.

Lance Corporal Richard Baird took 54 hours to finish the route, a feat that is all the more impressive when it is considered that he had a 44lbs back-pack on him at all times, reports the East Kilbride News.

As a veteran of Afghanistan, he is used to tiring and daunting challenges and it is his time in the warzone, where he saw a friend's legs blown off, that inspired him to raise money for the good cause.

The former soldier has already raised in excess of £1,500, but with donations still coming in he is hoping the final figure will be around £2,500.

"I would love to walk the West Highland Way again – but take a few more days to do so. The views were absolutely spectacular and I enjoyed the sense of peace and tranquility," Lance Corporal Baird stated.