An Army sergeant and his friend are preparing to hike seven marathons in seven days for Royal Star & Garter.

Sgt Greg Smith and Pete Seabrook’s epic 190-mile challenge will take in the charity’s three Homes, in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe, where they will meet residents and staff.

Known as The Charity Adventurers, the High Wycombe pair  are aiming to raise £1,500 for Royal Star & Garter, which provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.

Greg, 36, joined the Army 13 years ago and works with Apache helicopters in the Army Air Corps.

He learned about Royal Star & Garter in 2019 while fundraising for The Charity Adventurers’ first challenge, and was instantly drawn to the work it does with veterans. Greg, who has been on operational tours in countries including Afghanistan and Libya, said: “I looked at what Royal Star & Garter does for veterans, and how it cares for them physically and mentally, and I thought it was a really nice charity that does amazing work.”

His desire to raise money for the charity grew further when his mother Angela started working as a nurse at the High Wycombe Home.

The Charity Adventurers then visited the High Wycombe Home, where they were blown away by the care and facilities on offer. Greg said: “We were given a tour and it was phenomenal. We thought if we could help in any way it would be amazing.”

The pair plan to be waved off by residents from the Solihull Home on Saturday 14 March and follow the Grand Union Canal to London, where they will stop off at the Surbiton Home and spend time with veterans there. They will then follow the Thames towards the charity’s High Wycombe Home, where they aim to arrive on Friday 20 March, to a heroes’ welcome.

The Charity Adventurers will walk a minimum of a marathon each day, and plan to cover three or four miles every hour to complete the challenge on time. They will spend nights either camping in a tent or in B&Bs.

Pete is looking forward to the hikes, but with some trepidation. He said: “I’m not sure how easy this is going to be for me. I’m not used to putting that sort of mileage in on my feet every day. I think it’s going to be more of a struggle and challenge for me than it is for Greg!”

To sponsor The Charity Adventurers, go to their fundraising page at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=thecharityadventurers&pageUrl=2#