Brothers double up for Help for Heroes

Twins Damian and Joseph Duffin, 25, from Bathgate, hope to raise a “significant” amount of cash for a cause close to their hearts with the event, which will see a group of their clients from Experience Exercise collectively complete the trek.

The trainers formed the company in 2007 and specialise in physical fitness training.

The pair, who are former pupils of St Margaret’s Academy in Livingston, will hold the event at Bathgate Sports Centre on Sunday.

They spent just over a year in the Royal Marine Reserves Edinburgh detachment from 2008-9, and although they were never deployed on operations, have friends who recently returned from Afghanistan.

Joseph, who is also a motorbike instructor, said: “I take my hat off to these guys in Afghanistan, I have got so much respect for them. To be able to use our fitness and the business to generate money for Help for Heroes is brilliant.”

Around 50 people will take part, collecting sponsorship or making donations, including Damian and Joseph, who plan to run 20 miles each.

Damian added: “Each person will run an average of five miles, but some people will run less and some will run more.

“This is the first event we have organised independently. Every year we try and do something for charity but this year we thought we would do something close to our hearts.”

It will be the first time the brothers have raised funds for Help for Heroes.

Damian said: “It’s exciting, we can’t wait to get it done.

“We don’t have a target but we’re hoping we raise a significant figure. Everyone is really pushing hard.

“The sooner Help for Heroes gets the money, the sooner they can start using it to help the guys. Every day guys are coming back from Afghanistan who have lost limbs or been injured. The lads need as much help as we can give them.”

Joseph said it was also a chance for people who have signed up for the run to develop their fitness. “They know they have an endurance event coming up and they can set goals for themselves,” he said.

And the brothers are determined to reach their 250-mile target. Damian said: “We will run all day if we have to. There’s no way we will stop until it gets done. ”

Help for Heroes buckets have been set up in Torra Scotia Sports in Bathgate for anyone who would like to make a donation.