SERVICEMEN are due to drag a double-decker bus through the streets of York to raise money for charity.

On Sunday, July 1, current and former servicemen will pull the bus around the city centre to raise money for forces charity Help for Heroes.

Among those taking part will be Phil Hatton, the father of York’s Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, who died in Afghanistan in 2009, as well as soldiers and members of the RAF from as far afield as Exeter, Arbroath and Cardiff.

The event is being organised by York taxi driver Cliff Talmadge, who has held a number of events for Help for Heroes, so far raising about £5,000 for the charity.

Mr Talmadge said he hopes the event will be attended by World War Two and Afghanistan veterans.

He said: “Getting the bus through town is going to be the biggest event yet. It will be going through streets a bus has never been down before.

“I hope everyone really enjoys the day and we raise as much money as possible.”

Between noon and 4pm, Mr Talmadge said he hopes the bus will cover the route from St Sampson’s Square to Church Street, Colliergate, Pavement and Parliament Street, three times.

There will be about 40 people involved in pulling it, including his son, Royal Marine Commando Lance Talmadge, he said.

To raise awareness of the challenge, the bus will be in Parliament Street this Sunday.