Marathon effort for David

David hopes to raise £1,600 for The Soldiers’ Charity which in the last year, has supported more than 80 specialist charities and some 6,000 individuals.

He will be taking part in the London Marathon on April 26.

He has raised £1,100 to date. Further donations can be made through his Just Giving page.

Major General (retired) Martin Rutledge, chief executive, of The Soldiers’ Charity, said: “David’s support for The Soldier’s Charity will help to remind people of the many sacrifices made by serving and former soldiers, long after any news of Afghanistan has left the front page.

“The money raised will help The Soldiers’ Charity to do what it does best - being there for soldiers’ for life.”

The charity says that for an older ex-soldier living with “battlefield injury”, their home with stairs and steps can seem like an obstacle course.

The Soldiers’ Charity works in association with other charities and the MoD to ensure each soldier receives all the home modifications and accessibility aids they need.

For example, the average cost of converting a bathroom is £6,000; stair lift, £2,750, an automated hospital bed, £4,000; a ramp, £500; conversions to footpaths and gardens, £3,000.

The charity added: “Your generosity today could help give grants towards practical adaptations that enable these veterans to live independently in their own homes for longer. This investment will enrich not only the lives of our veterans and their families but society as a whole.”