Tribute march for war heroes

Soldiers marched miles to raise money for their injured comrades who are being treated at a Birmingham military hospital.

Young comrades from Great Barr braved the freezing weather and walked from their local pub to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham to raise cash for Help For Heroes. Private Luke Tuckey, of 3 Mercian Regiment, came up with the plan after a friend had his legs blown off in Afghanistan.

The 20-year-old, of Kinross Crescent, said: "My friend had both legs blown off and that made me think I should do something to help. We've raised quite a lot of money already."

The route, which took them through the city centre, was 11.4 miles long.

Pte Tuckey, and his friends 18-year-old Trooper Daniel Sumner of the Queens Royal Hussars, from Kingstanding, Able Seaman Kelly Allan and her mother Michelle Allan, 42, both of Chantrey Crescent, Great Barr, set off at 10.30am on Tuesday.

The boys carried 22kg packs on their backs and got to Selly Oak Hospital in three-and-a-quarter hours.

All are regulars at The Cat and Fiddle pub in Beacon Road, Great Barr, where customers have raised more than £4,000 for troops over the past year. Landlord George Kirkham organises regular charity events and has sent more than 400 food parcels to Afghanistan, which had been donated by customers.

His son, Corporal Sean Kirkham, returned from a tour of duty in October. He is a member of the 2 Rifles Regiment and served in Helmand Province.

This year the 24-year-old lost his two best friends, Cpl Jonathan Horne, of Walsall, and Sergeant Paul McAleese who were both killed in bomb blasts.

Mr Kirkham, 50, said: "When you hear the stories about what happens over there it makes you realise that you've got to do something. We want to help them out.

"Our customers are always donating money or things for food parcels."