Ex-marine takes on forces march

ENERGETIC ex-marine Mark White is walking 131 miles in five days to raise money for forces charities.

The 48-year-old from Exmouth is taking part in the Forces March 2010 from Ilfracombe to Bulford Camp in Dorset in May.

Each participant in the annual challenge, organised by military charity Project 65, is asked to raise £1,000 towards funds for the care and support of wounded armed forces personnel and bereaved families.

Charities benefiting from the event include The Army Benevolent Fund, Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion, the British Limbless Ex-Service Man's Association, The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, St Dunstan's and the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust.

People can take part as individuals or teams and enter as many or as few stages as they wish.

The three groups of participants — walkers, runners and those with disabilities — will be starting at different times.

So far, Mr White, who served in the Royal Marines for 22 and a half years, has raised £280.

This includes sponsorship from local business South Coast Services in Exmouth and his chiropractor.

He has taken part in half marathons and marathons before, but never in a five-day long marathon event.

He said: "My father was in the RAF and for my first 18 years, I was a service kid.

"I was then in the marines and still live locally, so it is a cause close to my heart.

"In the current climate, there is not a lot of support from where it should come from.

"As we do in Britain, we always find a way of helping each other out.

"It is also giving me something to aim for. I take my hat off to the runners, who are going to be running every day for five days. But a lot of us are doing the walking part.

"It is going to be a hard event mentally and physically for everyone who's competing, but it's a chance to raise money and awareness for a worthwhile cause."

Participants will cover 26 miles a day and at the end of each leg along the route, will pitch their tents and camp at overnight stops.

At the end of the event, there will be a festival held at the Bulford Army Barracks to celebrate.

Mr White is training for the event by taking part in walks across Woodbury and through Lympstone.

The event will take place between Thursday, May 27 and Monday, May 31.

To sponsor Mr White, visit www.justgiving.com/mark- white-knocker-ex-royal-mar ine.