A team of six people from the Forest of Dean area will be taking on the 100km Frontline Walk in October in commemoration of members of the Armed Forces.  

Beginning at Lochnagar Crater located at Somme battlefield, Marcus Gartside, Paula Tippins, Paul Burton, Lou Brice, Darren Smith and Amanda Lock will be trekking the 100km to Menin Gate in Ypres over three days. 

Agony of De Feet, as they have called themselves, will now take on fundraising events to raise the £7500 needed between them by October. 

So far, they have raised a total of £3783.83 from generous donations. 

The team thanks everyone for their continued support, in particular, the support from their sponsors, The Crown Inn in Coalway and The Globe in Berry Hill. Marcus Gartside said: “Everyone in the Forest are so keen on supporting members of the armed forces and from that we have had so many donations already. 

“We’ve had a lot of support from so many people and we are very grateful for that.”

On day one of the walk, Agony of De Feet will be covering 35km. Day two is 34km, finishing with another 31km on day three. 

Admitting they have got quite the challenge ahead, Paul Burton said: “It really is going to be hard but it doesn’t compare to what they did. So, we will be gritting our teeth and just getting on with it.”

Upcoming fundraising events Bingo Fundraising Night on Tuesday, April 23 and Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 29, both at The Crown and Globefest at The Globe on Sunday, May 26 and again on Monday, August 26. Marcus and Paula will be holding a quiz and raffle at The Globe on Thursday, May 30 and another quiz and raffle at The Crown on Thursday, June 6. Amanda will be holding Lockfest on Saturday, June 22.