A GROUP of Kimbolton work colleagues have been so inspired by The Hunts Post’s Heroes Welcome scheme they are taking on a marathon of a challenge in aid of men and women on the frontline.

Beacon Financial Ltd and sister company Beacon Wealth Management were one of the first companies in Huntingdonshire to sign up to the Heroes Welcome scheme earlier this year after reading about it in the Hunts Post.

The scheme, organised by Huntingdonshire District Council, and supported by the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, encourages businesses to offer servicemen and women a warm welcome and asks them to display a sticker showing their involvement.

Beacon Financial Ltd and Beacon Wealth Management Ltd pledged to show their support by offering a 20 per cent discount to all current service personnel.

Now an eight-man team from the firm will be going that extra step further by completing The Hero Walk - a gruelling 26 mile trek from Avebury to Stonehenge organised by forces charity Help For Heroes.

Managing director Tony Larkins will be doing the trek with daughter Katie and wife Karen, who both work at the company, as well as colleagues Vera Adams, Amie Brotherton and Eammon Dorling.

Also joining them on the day will be Eammon’s wife Lesley and Ross Kitson.

Katie said: “When I first put myself forward to take part in the trek I don’t think I really understood the distance, and just went along with it.

“I have now been given a training trekking guide which has made me realise what I have actually got myself into.

“It is no doubt going to be very hard work, especially when I found out that last year they did it on the hottest day of the year.

“But I am determined to complete this challenge in a respectable time, because at the end of the day it is nothing in comparison to what our troops do for us every day.”

The Hero Walk, on September 25, will take participants over the high chalk downs and ridge ways of Wiltshire and Salisbury Plain.

The challenge will start in Avebury, where walkers will be able to get up close to the ancient stone circle before heading off to Silbury Hill, the tallest man-made mound in Europe.

Walkers will also visit the enigmatic Wiltshire White Horses, which have been carved into the chalk of Salisbury Plain, before making their way to arguably the country’s most celebrated ancient landmark - Stonehenge.

The Beacon team hope to complete the course in 12 hours. All money raised will go to Help for Heroes.

Tony said: “I have always had a strong appreciation for those that go and fight for our country. People from within the team also sadly know of others who have been injured during action and we feel that by taking part we can try and help raise awareness of Help for Heroes whilst raising as much money as possible for the charity to help look after our troops.”

INFORMATION: To sponsor the team go to www.bmycharity.com/beaconfinancial