OVER 200 veterans are set to march along the Jurassic Coast from Lulworth Cove to Lyme Regis, in a bid to raise funds for charity.

Starting on September 17 the march will take place over three days raising money Care for Casualties and commences at Lulworth Cove with a remembrance style service.

“Everyone is excited. There are veterans coming from all over the country and we know it's a good occasion,” organiser Mike Wells said.

“It’s a great cause which helps injured soldiers. Lots of people think you get lots of money when injured soldiers leave the army, but you don't, you get on with normal life.”

Care for Casualties helps British personnel from the Rifles regiment, and their families, who have been injured while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr Wells is a 63-year-old veteran himself, who served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and the Falklands, and has worked on previous fundraisers.

“We have been raising funds for the Rifles Trusts for a couple of years now, 164 of us previously marched along Hadrian's Wall and we aim to raise more money for the trust.

“In 2019 we had no idea how successful it would be and we raised £96,000. We hope to raise as much as possible.”

Mr Wells, who now works as a porter at Poole Hospital, is urging the people of Dorset to support the challenge.

He added: “As veterans we support the Dorset regiment and we know people will support us. There are lots of people in Dorset that have lost loved ones in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

The Rifles was a regiment formed in 2007 following the merger of four other regiments.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Veterans on a previous march along Hadrian's Wall

When Mr Wells served for 24 years he was part of the Second Battalion Light Infantry, which was one of the four regiments involved in the merger.

The veteran has been planning the charity challenge for 18 months with those taking part eager to get started.

Mr Wells said: “Everyone is excited. There are veterans coming from all over the country and we know it's a good occasion.

“I’ve been training for six months, once a week with coastal and country walks of about 15-25 miles. It’s been strenuous, but the challenge needs to be finished.”

On day one, September 17, veterans will march from Lulworth Cove to Weymouth.

The next day they will march from Weymouth to West Bay, and on day three from there onto Lyme Regis.

Donations can be made via the Rifles Regimental Trust JustGiving page.