A MAN from Bude has recently completed an arduous walk on inhospitable Dartmoor, in aid of the Poppy Appeal.

Steve Wheadon forganised ten soldiers and a number of support vehicles to take part, covering 70 miles in 24 hours, which they completed with time to spare.

Steve joined the army when he was 16 years old and still serves today, having completed 32 years of service. During this time he has been deployed in Northern Ireland, the Middle East, Bosnia and Croatia. He was also stationed in Berlin when the wall came down, and has been posted all over Europe.

He is a strong supporter of service charities and, in particular, the Royal British Legion. When his daughter Charlotte opened a hairdressing business in Bude, he asked the Royal British Legion to perform at the opening ceremony.

To support the charity so close to his heart, Steve endeavours to undertake at least one fundraising event every year, and this year he has taken part in two.

His chosen charity for 2016 is the Poppy Appeal, and he enlisted sponsorship from family, friends and other contacts.

Each of the walkers will donate their sponsorship money to their local branch of the Royal British Legion. The Bude and Stratton branch are his beneficiaries, and he has entrusted £280, with more still to come to the branch’s Poppy Appeal organiser.

The Bude and Stratton branch of the Royal British Legion have expressed their warm thanks to Steve for his fundraising and support.