TWO friends have completed a walk wearing Cold War-era Army kit weighing 12 kilograms in aid of a charity close to their hearts. 

Peter Burden and Marc Fogerty took on a 'March in March', walking 20 miles - double their original distance of 10 miles - for Combat Stress, a charity which offers therapy and treatment to former members of the British Armed Forces who are suffering from a range of mental health conditions.

The pair walked from Andover to Danebury, Stockbridge, Chilbolton, Wherwell and back into Andover, before reaching The Station Inn at around 4.15pm on April 2. In total it took them seven and a half hours. 

Marc, 51, said: "Pete contacted me about taking part, given the sacrifice that members of our armed forces make, not only in physical terms but emotionally and mentally, it was an easy decision to join Pete in doing what we could to raise awareness of veteran's needs of the support that Combat Stress is able to provide them."

To challenge themselves even further, Marc and Pete completed the walk wearing a Cold War-era British Army kit, weighing around 12 kilograms.

READ MORE: 'It's like Swiss cheese full of holes' – council defers call on plan for 102 homes

Pete and Marc are both former Ministry of Defence apprentices, they worked on both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters in support of equipment and flight trials for all three armed services.

Marc also served for a short while in the Territorial Army as a member of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry.

Andover Advertiser:

READ MORE: Gin, gifts and egg hunts in store at Andover market this weekend

Marc said: "Obviously we're both tired and a little sore in places at the end of the march but we are both feeling a great sense of achievement having completed it.

"Our chance meeting with a former soldier in Stockbridge who told us of the invaluable help he had received from Combat Stress was a great boost to our sense of purpose on the day.

"I suspect that similar events will become something that we will take part in again so as to continue to contribute to the support that so many of our military veterans need and deserve."

To donate to Marc and Pete, visit events.combatstress.org.uk/fundraisers/cw75.