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Sgt Billy McKay, right with some of his team, from left, WO2 Mark D'Cunha, LCpl Gordon Moore, and LCpl George Torry

SOLDIERS who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq have taken on a new challenge in the name of charity.

Sergeant Billy McKay, who is stationed in York, and five other members of his troop are throwing themselves into a 24-hour "rowathon" to help children who have lost a parent during an Army operation.

They will be taking on the marathon task this Friday using two gym rowing machines with each fundraiser rowing for 30 minutes on, an hour off, and then 30 minutes on again - for 24 hours.

Sgt McKay who is based at Strensall as a training instructor, said: "The charity we are doing this for is called The Forces Children's Trust, which deals with kids who have had a parent killed on operational tour in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"It tries to bring some of these children together for a day out so they can meet others in the same situation," he said.

"It also helps deal with other situations and problems they may have.

"This charity isn't very well-known, so it needs all the support it can get, especially as in the last six years more than 250 British service personnel have been killed in these two operating areas alone leaving many heart broken kids."

The rowing team includes Mark D'Cunha, Gordon Moore, Gareth Priestley, Alistair Booton and George Torry.

"We have been training for the past three months, so we are prepared for the challenge," said Sgt McKay.

"We have raised just under £2,000, but we plan to make as much money as possible."

The group is also intending to take on the Hull half-marathon later this year for charity.

The Forces Children's Trust is able to be flexible and offer help as needed, such as providing special software for a dyslexic young boy who had lost his father and whose mother could not afford it at that time.

To support the cause log on to the www.justgiving.com/billymckay where donations can be made.

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5:59pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

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