AT THE age of 54 John Sibary, of Ilkley, has decided to take part in a 139 mile ‘super challenge’ in aid of The Veterans Charity.

He will be tackling The Forces March 2017, one of the UK’s toughest challenge events which was created to unite ex forces veterans and civilians with personnel from the military and emergency services to raise vital funds for the care and support of UK armed forces heroes and forces families.

The Forces March retraces the route taken by men of the newly formed 6th Airborne Division on the now legendary training march from Devon to Wiltshire in 1942.

Walking, John will cover an average of 27.8 miles a day on five consecutive days (the equivalent of five marathons) starting from the seafront in Ilfracombe, North Devon on Wednesday, May 24 progressing through Exford, Crowcombe, Somerton and Maiden Bradley finishing in Bulford, Wiltshire on Sunday, May 28.

John served as a Weapons Engineer in the Royal Navy in the 1980s and early 1990s serving in The Gulf War, Caribbean, and the Far East. He said: “As an ex-member of the armed forces and a volunteer, I’ve seen first-hand the hardships that many ex-servicemen and women face. The great thing about The Veterans Charity is the speed at which they provide help to people in need. What they do is really important and that’s why I decided to take part in the March. I know it’s going to be a tough five days, but I’m going to do my best. It’s not a race and I want to make sure that I earn the sponsorship I’ve raised.”

Should you wish to support John you can do so at www.justgiving.com/John-Sibary or text JSIB54 to 70070