RESIDENTS, businesses and councillors in Royal Wootton Bassett have waved off an armed services team taking part in a gruelling nine-day challenge.
Fourteen serving and former soldiers began the multi-disciplined endurance event yesterday, which will see them run, kayak and cycle to Dover and back in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund.
Starting out from the war memorial in High Street, the team ran a 30-mile marathon to Lechlade via Kemble before bunking down for the night. Today and tomorrow they will do a 144-mile kayak along the Thames from Lechlade to Westminister Bridge in London.
On day four the team will cycle 80 miles from London to Dover and from day five to nine they will sea kayak and cycle 200 miles from Dover to Marchwood near Southampton. The final leg of the trip will involve a 36-mile cycle from Marchwood to Tidworth, then a 30-mile ultra marathon from Tidworth back to Bassett.
They aim to be back on the High Street at about 2.30pm next Friday, where they will be met by the mayor, Coun Linda Frost.
The team aims to raise around £10,000 for the fund. For more and to donate visit www.just giving.com/teams/rwb-challenge.
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