Military men hoof it to city in aid of soldiers' causes

TWO army officers are set to arrive in the Capital this afternoon after a 400-mile horseback ride from London to raise funds for military charities.

Colonel Ewen Cameron and Major Neil Cross are attempting to ride from London to Edinburgh in four days, following in the "hoof-steps" of Sir Robert Carey, the officer who delivered the news of Queen Elizabeth I's death to James VI of Scotland in March 1603.

Major Cross, who commands the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, and Colonel Cameron, one of Her Majesty's Bodyguard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, aim to raise cash for the Combat Stress and Light Dragoons Colonel's Appeal, which treats soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder among other conditions.

The pair prepared for the challenge by cycling standing up on the pedals and spending time on a rocking horse designed for training jockeys.

Lord Provost George Grubb was set to greet the two officers on their arrival around 5pm.