A GRUELLING 150-mile speedmarch over six days is how a group of friends have decided to raise vital cash for soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Setting off near Newby Hall, near Ripon, Adrian Rennie, Scott Sinclair and Alex Berry intend to march 25 miles a day to reach Austwick, in Lancashire, all to support the Help For Heroes army charity.

Adrian, of Dringhouses, York, said he and his friends, both of Tadcaster Road, York, were inspired to do the gruelling task because they all have friends and family based in the armed forces.

“We all know someone who is the army, and I am due to join as well,” he said.

“I think the Help For Heroes charity is a brilliant way to help those soldiers which have served and fought for our country.

“They have risked their lives to fight for us and we wanted to find a way to give something back.”

Adrian, 20, Scott, 19 and Alex, 18, will start the punishing task on October 5.

“We have done a lot of tough training walks to get ourselves ready for the trip, and we run every day. However this is not for the fainthearted, and we need to be prepared physically and mentally for the challenges to come,” said Scott.

“But we are really looking forward to it. We just want to raise as much money as we can for the charity.”

Not only are the trekkers taking on the challenge in a bid to raise £5,000 for Help For Heroes, but also to raise awareness of the charity.

“Helping them in any way we can is something we really care about,” said Adrian. “We want to spread the message about the charity and raise its profile.”

Help For Heroes was set up in October 2007 to support servicemen and women who have been injured in the recent conflicts of Iraq and Afghanistan.

To date, the cause has raised more than £17 million. To sponsor the trio, phone Adrian on 07807270134.