SOLDIERS from York’s 2 Signal Regiment are holding a 90-mile endurance event for charity at Camp Bastion.

The soldiers, currently on operations in Afghanistan, will run and cycle the 90 miles in commemoration of the distance covered by assistant surgeon William Brydon in January 1842, the only survivor of the retreat from Kabul by a British Army column originally numbering some 16,000.

The distance, which will be split between teams of four soldiers, will mimic the 55 miles covered by the British column to their last stand at Gandamak made by the 44th Regt of Foot, and the subsequent 35 miles covered by William Brydon to Jellalabad as he made his escape on horseback.

Staff Sergeant Scott Rose, who is organising the event, said: “It will serve as a good distraction for the everyday operational stress the soldiers are subject to, and help raise money for the regiment’s charity, the Kohima Education Trust.”

The Kohima Education Trust is a children’s charity set up by British soldiers returning from the Battle of Kohima in 1944 in recognition of the bravery displayed by the Nagaland soldiers who fought alongside them. The charity aims to provide education to descendants of the Nagaland soldiers in order to help raise them out of poverty.

2 Signal Regiment, based at Imphal Barracks in Fulford, is the only unit still in existence that served at Kohima.

Lt Paul Gormley, a participant in the endurance event, said: “A competitive event like this helps raise moral amongst the guys and provides a good training focus.”

The 2 Signal Regiment, which specialises in ensuring communications throughout the war zone, deployed to Afghanistan in August in support of NATO operations in the country.

Staff Sgt Rose appealed to York residents to support the cause by visiting justgiving.com/jfciskohimaeducationaltrust or by sending a cheque made payable to ‘Central Bank 2 Signal Regiment’ to: Unit Admin Office, 2 Signal Regiment, Imphal Barracks, Fulford Road, York, YO10 4HD. Please put enter your name, address details and Kohima Education Trust on the back of the cheque.

“If individuals want to give a present this Christmas season that will make a real difference to a child’s life then please donate whatever you can,” he said.