A group of forces veterans raised more than £1,000 by walking 23 miles from Memorial Square in Coalville to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

The cross-county trek was in aid of SSAFA - Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen's Families Association - the Armed Forces charity - and the group completed the walk earlier this month in around eight hours.

Organiser Mark Brown told Coalville Nub News: "The demographic is changing slightly and we're getting some younger veterans this year.

"This time, the youngest was a 21-year-old, his father was a veteran and also taking part in the walk, there was a 28-year-old serving soldier as well.

"But the oldest was 70, and the average age was probably 60, it was predominately veterans."

There was a group of 22 who met up at the Clocktower at 5.30am on Saturday, September 7.

But it was no easy task to complete the journey, which saw them arrive in Alrewas just after 2pm.

Mark added: "If you take a line west from Coalville, we went through Ravenstone, down to Packington, then across fields under the A42 to Willesley Woods then on to Donisthorpe.

"From there, it's Acresford to Netherseal and Lullington. Then to Edingale to the Arboretum.

The group left Coalville at 6am

"We left at 6am and made three refreshment stops, arriving at 2.15pm, we tried to stick to the British Army rate of three miles per hour."

As well as the walk, some members of the group also made their own separate fundraisers which means the initial target of £1,000 should be exceeded.

Mark added: "That money will roll in over the next couple of weeks.

"In 2023, we had a bumper year, raising £2,500 for the Gurkha charity, but this year, there were fewer of us and money's tight."

Leicestershire County Councillor Craig Smith took part in the walk and posted about it on social media.

He said: "What a day, I'm totally in awe of what these incredible people have achieved.

"I'm almost 48 and reasonably fit, but I don't mind admitting I'm absolutely broken. Proud of each and every one of you and the great support team we had keeping us safe on the roads."