Mark Taylor and Daniel Cooke hope to raise £2,500 sponsorship for Help for Heroes, the charity which supports servicemen and women wounded while serving their country.

The Forest Town pair start the gruelling 80-mile trek on Friday and hope to finish in time to complete a lap of honour at Field Mill before the 3pm kick-off on Saturday against Grays in the BSP.

Both men completed tours overseas during their time in the Army and want to show their support for close friends who are still serving.
Daniel (26) served in the Royal Signals from 1998 to 2007 and is now a bank official.

He said: "We felt it was quite shocking how some servicemen and women are treated when they get back from overseas, so we thought we'd do it for Help for Heroes.

"Someone I knew walked the distance once, so we thought 'let's run it in full Army kit', so people will hopefully think 'wow' and be inspired to donate.

"This sort of challenge is all in the mind — when it gets wet and dark we will have to keep going, but you've got each other to rely on for motivation."

Mark (25), now a prison officer, served as an Artillery Gunner from 2000 to 2007.

"We've both got mates out in Afghanistan now and wanted to show our support in some way," he said.

"We've been friends since we were about 13 and it'll be important to egg each other on along the route.

"It's a psychological challenge as much as a physical one, and hopefully we'll get a good reception at the ground on Saturday."

Backed up by a Land Rover, the two will swap over onto the road every 10 miles, and will carry a 50lbs bergen pack along the route.

Mark added: "The Government is not looking after the troops, so we hope the public might. We're hoping people will help out and donate what they can afford."

On Saturday Mark and Daniel will also hold a charity auction at the Ladybrook Pub on Ladybrook Lane from 7.30pm. Lots include Mansfield Town, Notts County and Derby County tickets.

To sponsor the pair visit www.bmycharity.com/superskeggysprint.