A former soldier and two friends will trek nearly 150 miles decked out in full Army gear to raise money for Help for Heroes.

Warren Abbotts, 43, who served in the Army for four years, will be joined by his brother Mark and friend Jason West as they embark on a four-day military-style footslog from Darley Dale in Matlock, Derbyshire, to Wootton Bassett in full Army kit – minus weapons.

The challenge will see the group sleeping rough and eating military rations.

Mr Abbotts said: “This was the obvious choice of charity with myself being an ex-soldier, albeit it some years ago.

“And the media coverage on the current conflict with all the injuries sustained and tragic deaths had a deep impact on me.

“Also seeing the numerous funeral corteges travel along the streets in Wootton Bassett and hundreds of people turning out as a mark of respect was the final motivator.”

Mr Abbotts is looking forward to the challenge but has not been able to do as much training as he would have liked. “Even though the others haven’t done something like this, I think it will be exciting for what it’s for,” he said.

“I would have liked to have done some more training, but with four children other things happen and we haven't got around to it.

“We will have a support vehicle with us and we will work on a relay system so we should have time to recover.”

The trio are hoping to complete 42 miles a day, starting on Friday, August 6 and finishing in Wootton Bassett the following Monday, where they will get their collection buckets out for the final fund-raising push.

“This, for me, is not something that will end,” said Mr Abbotts.

“There are so many people getting killed and injured that there will be a whole generation of youngsters with war injuries.

“This is just our attempt at paying respect to all those men and women putting their lives on the line.”