Staffordshire Regiment's 600 mile fundraiser

The group set out from the Kings Head pub on Bird Street today where the regiment formed more than 300 years ago.

The ex-servicemen will run 600 miles to raise money for the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association and Fisher House which looks after injured Forces personnel in at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

Former Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales') soldiers Morris Wilkes, of Westcroft, Wolverhampton, and Steve Forrester have organised the run with as part of a group of veterans they are calling Staffordshire Band of Brothers.

They hope to raise more than £50,000.

The team will run 100 miles a day over six days.

Grandfather-of-three Mr Morris, known as Moz, said: "It's taken a lot of planning but it is a way of getting together and doing something to help charity. We've all been through so much together. We were in Northern Ireland and the first Gulf War together and the regiment is out in Afghanistan at the moment. It's good to be able to come together and feel that camaraderie again.

"We want people to know that even though the regiment has disbanded, those who served in it are still proud of what was achieved.

"We can't do anything to bring the Staffordshire Regiment back but we remain proud members.

"There is not enough attention and help given to charities who help the families of former soldiers and we see it as our responsibility now to help them."

The run has been a year in the making and once they arrive they will take part in a memorial event for the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.

Mr Wilkes said: "You can't just turn up at this event, I have had to get an invite from the Mayor of Arnhem, who said he would be honoured by our attendance.

"I'm not running. But just organising the whole thing is hard work.

"I know that those who are running will make us proud."

"Whilst military patients receive outstanding care at QEHB their families receive the same level of care at Fisher House, which was built and is funded entirely by charitable donations. It is therefore thanks to people like Moz and Steve and all those joining them on this epic run that we are able to continue to provide wounded troops and their families with free accommodation and access to welfare support for as long as they need it."

The Battle of Arnhem took place in 1944 during the Second World War and saw two Staffordshire soldiers awarded Victoria Crosses.

To support the Band of Brothers in their challenge go to justgiving.com/steve-Forrester