A MAN from Trowbridge has walked 67 miles in 24 hours in honour of his dad, who served for 12 years in the military.

Gary Smith, 50, of Frome Road, hiked along the Kennet and Avon Canal in an attempt to walk as many miles as possible as part of a national campaign, Walking Home For Christmas, to support ex-servicemen and women who are alone this Christmas.

Mr Smith has a keen interest in military history and has raised around £1,500 for Walking With the Wounded.

He said: “ They’ve walked in more dangerous places for us so I wanted to do my bit.

“I will never be able to understand the fear and dread that must go through a soldier’s mind whilst out on manoeuvres.

“But at the end of my walk I understood what it is like to hurt both physically and mentally and what it’s like to keep pushing yourself forward when you are desperate to stop and give up.

“I did face some challenges along the way as it rained all afternoon but I am pleased with the amount I raised.”

The event was kicked off by ex-England footballer and winner of Channel 4’s celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins show, Wayne Bridge, and saw thousands of people doing their own walks across the UK to raise vital funds for employment, mental health and care co-ordination support for veterans and their families who are in need.

Mr Bridge, who played for Chelsea and Manchester City before retiring due to injury, said: “After taking part in SAS: Who Dares Wins and getting to know some of the guys taking us through the challenges, you quickly learn the immense stresses they’ve had to go through.”