FOUR former and serving soldiers are planning to climb three mountains to raise money in honour of an old colleague who is terminally ill.

Retired Warrant Officer Charlie Kama, of Allerthorpe, near Pocklington, started the project to reach the summits of Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in Cumbria and Snowden in Wales, all in 24 hours after hearing that Steve Owen, his former Troop Staff Sergeant, had been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.

“I was absolutely devastated,” said Mr Kama.

“He has not only helped me but also helped others, so now I want to do something for him, to make a difference, and he suggested we raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

“It is definitely a challenge, and we know it will be tough going, but every donation really will make a difference.”

Mr Kama will be joined by Brian Hughes, of the Parachute Regiment, his brother Jon, a former soldier now a Humberside firefighter, together with another former soldier Nigel Hinton.

Together with their two-man support and logistic team, they are part of a new group called The Shield in Yorkshire, a support network for ex-forces personnel who need help or someone to talk to as they adjust to life outside the armed forces.

Anyone wanting to give a donation can do so via justgiving.com/Charles-Kama