THREE soldiers are aiming to march 96 miles in 24 hours around a York barracks to help comrades wounded in Afghanistan.

Staff Sergeant John Bassett, Lance Corporal Scott Atkin and Corporal Mike Thomas set off at Imphal Barracks in Fulford Road at 5pm last night and intend to finish at 5pm today.

Carrying 15 kilos of weight, including a rifle, they are marching the equivalent of the distance from Birmingham to Manchester, accompanied in sections by other military staff at the barracks.

The Counter Intelligence Section members are hoping their Tactical Advance To Battle will raise thousands of pounds for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) Military Wing, the main receiving unit for all military patients injured overseas, where military and civilian trauma surgeons and scientists share medical innovations and advances in battlefield treatment.

Cpl Thomas, 27, said they had raised £1,500 so far but wanted to make £4,000 so they could purchase a low metal content scanner that detected shrapnel in the body.

“We hope people dig deep and donate to this worthy cause,” he said.

“Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham provides those added extras that make a huge difference to the lives of military patients and their families.”

LCpl Atkin, 24, said armed forces personnel injured on operations deserved the very best medical care available.

“The treatment they receive at QEHB is first class, and they are cared for in an environment that’s conducive to their recovery,” he said.

“The hospital is under-funded and in need of financial support, so all funds raised will go directly to QEHB so they can continue to provide the best possible treatment and after care to our injured heroes returning from the front line.”

For further information or to donate money, go to justgiving.com/tab4troops.