Thousands raised to help veterans become pilots

Jason Ivey, managing director of Gloucestershire Airport, said the row-a-thon had been "really emotional" and "really tiring"

An "emotional" 24-hour rowing relay has raised more than £2,000 to help injured servicemen and women retrain as commercial pilots.

Wings for Warriors, a charity which helps injured veterans fly, and Gloucestershire firefighters took it in turns to row their target of 250,000m (820,200ft) for the charity on an indoor rowing machine.

The "row-a-thon" took place at Gloucestershire Airport, and the distance target was exceeded by 40,000m (131,200ft)

"It's been really emotional, and really tiring as well, I'm looking forward to putting my feet up after this," Jason Ivey, managing director of the airport, said.

Wings for Warriors works with military rehabilitation units, other charities, businesses, and the public to inspire injured veterans to build sustainable futures for themselves.

The row began at midday on Wednesday, with the team giving themselves until midday on Thursday to hit the 250,000 metre target, which they reached at 08:52 BST.

A total of £2,060 had been raised as of Friday afternoon through the row-a-thon, which Ben Lancaster, a beneficiary from Staverton, said was "so much fun".

Mr Lancaster served in Afghanistan and was severely injured by an improvised explosive device.

Ben Lancaster (left) was among those who took part in the Wings for Warriors fundraiser after being helped by the charity

"I got discharged from the parachute regiment in 2013, it's been a long time trying to regain that sense of purpose, and now Wings for Warriors helped give that back to me," Mr Lancaster said.

"The camaraderie, the laughs, and the push to squeeze out one more kilometre were brilliant."

Mr Lancaster said the charity had rebuilt his "confidence and sense of direction".

"We've got multiple examples of guys that have lost limbs, been severely burnt, proper traumatic injuries and at some point have been at a very low ebb in their lives," he said.

"18 months to two years later, they're passed and flying for airlines as commercial pilots. It's a fantastic charity."