A SERVING Army Officer, who previously lived and went to school in Crediton, is hoping to raise more than £5,000 in sponsorship for the charity, Help for Heroes, by completing a 190-mile walk.

Mark Stevens (41) is a Warrant Officer in the Royal Logistic Corps and is currently based at Headquarters Land Forces, Wilton, in Wiltshire.

He said it has always been a life-long ambition to complete the famous Wainwright Coast to Coast walk from St Bees on the Irish Coast to Robin Hoods Bay on the North Coast.

Mark hopes to complete the walk in July and will be camping along the way, carrying all his equipment with him.

He hopes Courier readers will support him with donations in aid of Help for Heroes.

Mark is the son of Geoff and Christine Stevens, who still live in Crediton. He grew up in the area and went to Crediton's Queen Elizabeth's School, now Queen Elizabeth's Community College.

Mark joined the Army in 1991 and has served in various countries, including Germany, Cyprus and Canada.

He has also served on various other operations and deployments around the world.

Mark said: "The walk is extremely challenging, crossing the Lake District and the Pennines into Swaledale and ending with a traverse of the Cleveland Hills and the North York Moors.

"It is my aim to complete the 190 miles in less than 12 days, carrying all my supplies, which will include food, water and equipment for the duration of this solo event.

"I will be taking two weeks holiday from my job to complete the walk.

"I will be starting the walk on July 18, after travelling by train the day before to St Bees and then back by train afterwards from Robin Hoods Bay.

"With your readers support I am sure I can reach that target, so any donation would be extremely appreciative."

Help for Heroes provides practical direct support to those servicemen and women wounded in the line of duty in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

To date, Mark says he has had great support from his family and friends and extends special thanks to his parents, sister Sarah Flower and his cousin, Jane Stevens.

Mark still has a lot of money to raise to reach his target and those who are able to make a donation can do so via the website: http://www.justgiving/Mark-StevensCoast-to-Coast">www.justgiving/Mark-StevensCoast-to-Coast

alan-quick@crediton

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