WEST Wiltshire soldiers serving in Afghanistan have used their spare time to raise money for charity, as well as working to help bring life back to normal for people in Afghanistan.

Captain Jim Hicketts, from Heytesbury, and Corporal Paul Williams, of Westbury, took part in a £3,600 cycling and rowing challenge to raise funds for charities in Afghanistan and this country.

They have also helped to completely rebuild Fazelbeg School in Kabul, in a combined project with Save the Children. The school was virtually destroyed in the civil war prior to the Taliban era.

Since it was stationed in the Afghan capital the squadron has been heavily involved with schools and orphanages throughout the ruined city.

Cpt Hicketts, who organised the cycling and rowing events, said: "After spending a couple of weeks getting accustomed to the heat each man spent between six and eight hours cycling and rowing.

"All of this took place in the soldiers' own time, with many starting at 4am to avoid the high temperatures."

The money, which they will be collecting in August, will be split between the Army Benevolent Fund, Salisbury Children's Hospital, an Afghan school and the family of a Royal Engineer working in bomb disposal who lost a leg and an eye in an accident in Kabul earlier this year.

Cpt Hicketts said: "On any operational tour it is important to know you're not being forgotten while serving abroad and one of the best ways to do this is to give something back to communities through fundraising.

"We have thoroughly enjoyed this event and look forward to presenting the sponsorship money raised to some really worthwhile causes."

Cpl Williams, from Westbury, whose wife Gemma is expecting their first child in December, said: "This is a great way of helping others while we're away from our families and homes, and of course it helps to keep us fit to go with the job."

Both men are serving with the 8th armoured engineer squadron as part of the international security assistance force. At the moment the squadron is providing force protection and engineer support to UK and ISAF troops, which can mean anything from building bomb shelters to providing water, power and light for British soldiers.

They will return to Britain later this month to prepare for their next tour, which takes them to Kosovo in October.

Anyone who would like to add to the money raised should make cheques payable to Central Bank 26 Engineer Regiment and send them to Cpt Jim Hicketts, 8 AES sponsored cycle/row, 26 Engineer Regiment, Ludgershall, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 9RP.