Ex-marine's hike

A FORMER Royal Marine is donning his army fatigues once again to take part in a charity hike across London.

Rickie Botwright is one of 50 ex-commandoes taking part in a 13 mile speed march through the capital this November.

Money raised is being donated to the Help for Heroes charity on behalf of servicemen injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Now a Great Yarmouth based police inspector, Rickie served 12 years in the Marines including the Falklands conflict in 1982.

All those taking part are now serving police officers, like dad of two Rickie, who have been inspired to help fellow veterans.

Starting in Greenwich, the march will finish at the Royal Marines memorial in the Mall where the regimental band will be playing a salute.

The event on Saturday, November 7 will be followed by a regimental dinner in the evening and marchers will join the Remembrance Sunday commemorations in London the following day.

Rickie is already in training for the march after recovering from a recent knee injury and looking forward to joining former comrades on the day.

“I recently met a young lad who had returned from a second tour of Iraq - he was just 22 years old and been shot in the leg and arm, but his only aspiration was to get out there again which is incredible,” he said. “The aftercare is better now than when I was serving, but it is still in some cases falling short of what the guys deserve.

“We are hoping this will fund some ex-servicemen taking part in the 2012 Paralympics and go towards rehabilitation and financial support for those who are suffering. There is a young lad who lives near me in Gorleston who was shot in the leg serving in Iraq, which brings back how close this is to home for many people.”

Each participant is hoping to raise at least �500 and Rickie is seeking pledges of support from fellow police officers and shop and market stall owners in town.

To sponsor Rickie call 01493 333125.