HE MAY be serving in Afghanistan but that hasn’t stopped soldier Lee Brown from raising money for charity, Lee, who is a Warrant Officer (Class 2) and based in Helmand, has been spending his spare time organising a half marathon at Camp Bastion and it turned out to be a huge success.

The 36-year-old, of Peatmoor, was one of 422 runners who completed the challenge and helped to raise £4,000 for the RNIB, the Royal British Legion and DebRA, which raises money for those suffering from the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa.

The charity is close to Lee’s heart as his friend, Heather Skerry, from Swindon, suffers from the condition.

Lee has been in Afghanistan since September. He is part of the Theatre Equipment Support Battalion (TESB), where he is a key player in helping to run the Engineering Operations Cell, which is the heart and driving force of the TESB.

Although Lee, who joined the Army at 17, would rather be at home, he gets a morale boost knowing that the people back home are supporting the troops out in Afghanistan.

He is married to Hayley and has two daughters – Amie, 14, and Katelyn, 12.

He said: “I would just like to say how much I am missing you all and can’t wait to get home.

“Make sure you keep walking the dog or she will tell me when I get home!”