For a long time my old platoon comrade Coco Cocoran has been raising money to help run The Light Infantry Association which looks after hundreds of former members of my old Regiment every year.

Coco has carried a kitchen sink on a walk along Hadrian's Wall ('carrying everything including the kitchen sink') and a wheelie bin on the Edinburgh Marathon - just two of his many selfless acts to support service charities.

With the 50th anniversary of our Regiment this year 49 of us are joining Coco to walk 50 miles in three days in June. We aim to raise £50,000 which will help The Light Infantry Association support our veterans and keep them in touch with a network of old comrades.

I doubt if I'll look so chipper after 50 miles as I do above after a training walk with Marvin, so if you would like to reward our time and effort - or you just like the thought of me suffering - please donate to keep a vital lifeline going for our former soldiers.