THE COMMANDO principle of ‘never give up’ will be at the forefront of Daniel Hannon’s mind when he takes on the US Marine Corps Marathon this Sunday.

The Ferndale resident and five of his Commando friends will run in the event alongside 103 other members of the British forces and 20,000 other runners.

So far the 28-year-old has raised £2,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund, which provides support for ex-servicemen throughout their lives – whether that be with service induced stress or finding work.

However he hopes to raise £500 more before he sets off on the 26-mile course in Washington.

Daniel will be joined on the course by his friend Ross Austen, who was injured in Afghanistan during the pair’s last tour.

Ross will be completing the marathon on crutches after he was injured when a mine exploded between his feet while his Royal Engineers’ regiment attempted to move camp in Afghanistan. Another Commando comrade will be running alongside Ross with a wheelchair just in case he grows tired.

Daniel, who leaves on Thursday for an appearance in the event which will be partly paid for by America’s Marine Corps, said he had been training by running around an eight-mile lake.

He said: “When I first contacted America’s benevolent fund I ended up getting in touch with a former British Major who lives out there – Major Stephen Cain OBE .

“He thought it was a great idea for us to run in the event in a bid to help Americans put a face on British troops fighting alongside them in Afghanistan.

“In fact he agreed so much so that he invited another 103 Brits after I first suggested it.

“A lot of the American public are not even aware that the British forces are fighting alongside them in Afghanistan – so we thought this would raise the profile while also raising money for the benevolent fund.

“So far we have been featured in Stars and Stripes Magazine – so far things are going great.

”We will be wearing our green kit and regiment insignia so anyone who sees that will know we are not American forces.

“We are meeting with a brigadier from the US Marines and our trip is designated as official state business. We’re staying in the Anapolis Naval Academy.”

He added the event will be his second marathon, after he ran the Dublin event in 2007.

If you would like to help, visit www.justgiving.com/59MCM09.