Injured war heroes gear up for desert

Four injured soldiers were making final preparations yesterday for a fundraising trek that will see them take on gruelling challenges in the Moroccan desert.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Apr 2012, 07:00 BST

The servicemen, two of whom have lost a leg below the knee, were wounded in Afghanistan.

But they hope to overcome their injuries on the 14-day expedition which includes a 10-mile march, mine-clearing exercises and a tough hike through sand dunes.

Injured paratroopers Sergeant Allan Jackson and Privates Callum Urquhart, Mark Vidler and Patrick Burns hope to raise £40,000 for the Parachute Regiment’s Afghanistan Trust.

Captain Matt Clamp, of 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, said they expected a “tough” ride. Capt Clamp, from Barnsley, is accompanying the men who were due to set off at 4am today and expect to arrive back in Britain on May 1.