RESERVE soldiers are tackling a 2,000-mile virtual yomp from Swindon to the site of one of the Second World War's most famous battles.

The seven-week challenge by James Trott and 19 fellow members of Y Squadron The Royal Wessex Yeomanry is to raise money for Brighter Futures.

They are four weeks in and are running or walking the distance from the town's army reserve centre to El-Alamein, where their predecessors in the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry fought in the decisive battle that finally forced the Germans into retreat in North Africa

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James said: “I thought it would be good for us all to set ourselves a challenge whilst we’re not doing much in lockdown.

“We wanted to help the NHS and the people who use it here in Swindon. So we’re running either in our area or at home on a treadmill and adding up the distance we’ve gone between us each week.”

The total distance is just under 2120 miles and so far, the team has raised £440 of its £750 target.

James added that he wanted to complete the trek to mark the 75th year since the end of the Second World War.

“It was the 75th anniversary of VE Day and we’re in lockdown which made it hard to celebrate," he said. "But it is still important for us to remember.

"Our team did a baking competition and watched the national events on TV and of course we’re now doing this.

“It’s important not to forget those who gave their lives to fight in World War Two.”

To make a donation to their cause visit justgiving.com/fundraising/swindon-el-alamein.