A MARATHON organised by soldiers to raise money for a charity helping children who have lost a parent in the Armed Forces is expected to raise about £3,000.

The Marne Marathon, organised by Captain Andrew Fenton, involved 12 runners from 5 Regiment Royal Artillery (The Yorkshire Gunners) and took place earlier this month at the Marne Barracks in Catterick Garrison.

The route covered 27.4 miles and visited 12 schools in towns and villages on the way, collected money children had raised for the event to support the Forces Children’s Trust.

Capt Fenton said: “We completed the run 45 minutes faster than we aimed to and it was on the hottest day of the year so we did very well.

“So far we have raised around £1,200 just from collecting loose change and cheques from schools on the day.

“We also have fundraising cash from personal sponsorship of the runners and proceeds from our Just Giving page which currently has around £100 on it.”

The Forces Children’s Trust help children come to terms with the loss of a parent through action in the forces – something close to Capt Fenton’s heart.

He said: “I lost a friend of mine in 2009 – Sergeant Major Sean Upton – and his children Ewan and Holly benefitted from this charity.

“While their mum was coming to terms with her loss the charity took them away on holiday with other children in the same situation which really helped them.”

Every £500 the trust raises goes towards a holiday for a child, and every £2,000 contributes towards a trust to help a child in their further education.

Capt Fenton added: “I decided to raise money for the trust because other military charities do a lot for the next of kin or spouse, but sometimes not for the children – this really makes a difference.

“On a personal level, I lost my dad just before my 12th birthday - not through the Armed Forces but I know what it is like for them.”

The runners went through Catterick Village, Brompton-on-Swale, Richmond, Catterick Garrison, Hunton, Hackforth and back to Marne Barracks.

Donate to Capt Fenton’s Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/marne-marathon.