Veterans take on speed march challenge for charity

The former Royal Marines commandos are speed marching from John O'Groats to Land's End

A military veteran who is speed marching the length of Britain for charity says he is "battling the weather".

Carl Naudo, from Aldbourne in Wiltshire, is part of a team of former Royal Marines commandos taking on the trek from John O'Groats to Land's End.

Each runner in the Bootneck Yomp is carrying 20lb (9kg) and will complete at least a marathon a day for the challenge. They are expected to pass through Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire later.

Mr Naudo, 43, said: "We've definitely been battling the weather. In the first couple of days since we left John O'Groats, it was constantly raining. We also had wind coming in sideways."

The group is raising money for charities including Combat Stress, The Royal Marines Charity, Alzheimer's Society and Cancer Research UK.

The veterans left John O'Groats on 31 October and are due to arrive at Land's End on 8 November.

Carl Naudo says the team has battled rain and wind during the challenge

The team has been supported by other veterans at various stages along the route.

The group has also received donations of water and snacks, with Mr Naudo describing the support as "really quite overwhelming".

He said: "I wanted to do something positive with a group of people I'm very fond of.

"That's one of the things I've missed in the last couple years since I left the military - the people and, ultimately, that brotherhood element," he added.