Skip to content

Army veteran in 24-hour charity walking challenge

Martyn Harris A selfie of Martyn Harris crouched next to his rucksack at sunrise. The rucksack has a poster attached advertising his Stalbridge 24 hours walking challenge. He is smiling at the camera and giving a thumbs up. He is wearing a black peaked cap with an air ambulance logo on the front.Martyn Harris
Martyn Harris will be walking three-mile laps of his town for 24 hours

An Army veteran is walking laps of his town for 24 hours to raise money for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Martyn Harris set off from his home in Stalbridge, Dorset, at 10:00 BST and is hoping to walk 60 miles on the three-mile, circular route by 10:00 on Sunday.

He moved to the area three years ago and wanted to do something for the community that he said had made him feel so welcome.

Speaking ahead of the challenge, he said: "I'm as ready as I can be. I've got lots of sweets to keep me going."

Francesca Harris Critical care practitioner Nick Richards, Mr Harris and councillor James Vitali stand next to each other posing for a photo and smiling at the camera. There is an ambulance 4 by 4 vehicle in the background and balloons to the right hand side to mark Mr Harris' start point. Mr Richards is wearing a black short sleeved t shirt with red cargo trousers, Mr Harris has a black t shirt with army camouflage trousers and Mr Vitali wears a blue buttoned shirt with a black belt and cream chino trousersFrancesca Harris
From left to right: Critical care practitioner Nick Richards, Mr Harris and councillor James Vitali

After leaving the Army, Mr Harris felt he needed to "get up and go", so began signing up for the air ambulance charity's fundraising campaigns, including its 100 miles in October challenge.

He decided to organise his own 24-hour walking challenge so he could remain in Stalbridge and involve other residents who have agreed to walk with him.

He said: "I've worked out quite quickly it's not something I can train for, like a marathon. It's an endurance challenge.

"I've done a few six-hour, non-stop walks so I've been getting the steps in."

Francesca Harris Mr Harris is walking next to a friend, away from the camera, down a residential street. He wears a black short sleeved t shirt and army camo trousers, his friend is in a green short sleeve t shirt and black shorts with trainers on.Francesca Harris
Mr Harris set off on his 24-hour challenge on Saturday morning

Mr Harris began researching the work of the air ambulance after seeing the yellow helicopter, which is based at nearby Henstridge Airfield, flying over his house.

He said: "Turns out every time that thing flies over it's three-and-a-half-thousand pounds, and in one day I saw it seven or eight times."

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

More on this story
Related Links