Iraq veteran to attempt record walk for charity

A FORMER army captain - who has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan - is to attempt to break a world record for the fastest walk between Land's End to John O'Groats.

Peter Howard-Harding, 29, is setting off on 15 August and is aiming to do the 1,200-mile trip in 15 days or less and raise around 1,000 for Help for Heroes.

"I was a captain in 29 Commando Royal Artillery and left last month after 12 years. I did five tours of duty - two in Iraq and three in Afghanistan - so I know where the money raised will be going," he said.

But unlike most people who take on the challenge, Mr Howard-Harding, of Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, will be taking the scenic route - pushing the usual direct 874-mile trek to more than 1,200.

Although the world record for the shorter route is 12 days, 15 hours and 46 minutes, the record for the longer walk has never been seriously attempted.

"I wanted to try something different. After serving for 12 years I decided I wanted to give something back to the services, so a charity walk seemed a good thing to do," he said.

"I'm going to have to walk on average between 75 and 80 miles a day, so to get my body used to it I'm walking 30 miles a day in preparation. The most I'll have to walk on a single day is 89 miles, so that will be quite a hard day.

"Nobody has ever tried to set a record time for the route I'm taking. I've spoken to the people at the Guinness Book of Records and the current record is three months because nobody has tried to do it quickly."

• To sponsor the former soldier, go to www.bmycharity.com, click on the find a friend link and enter Peter Howard-Harding