David Hart, of the Royal Marine 40 Commando, was fatally wounded on the eve of his 24th birthday whilst serving in Sangin, Southern Afghanistan. Gavin Butler, cousin of David, along with seven of his friends, is doing a sponsored walk with the proceeds being split between two causes.

What are the causes?

1)    The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund is the overarching Royal Marine charity and money raised is used for very wide purposes - probably the widest of any service charity. It is run by the Royal Marines, for the Royal Marines, with serving and retired Royal Marines and their dependants benefiting.

2)    The Afghanistan Memorial Appeal, launched by the York Press daily newspaper, is seeking to recognise York’s finest heroes with the placing of a new and permanent memorial in the city. The press and a number of local people and organisations have come together to raise £200,000.

The Walk

Leaving the village of Greetland, Halifax – where the team live – on the 8th of July, the walk will take a direct route to York - where David was born and lived. With a distance of near 42 miles, the walk will take around 18 hours to do and be completed the following day on what would have been David’s birthday.

The Walkers

Pete 'Harry Potter' Barry - former pub landlord and current movie star stunt double. With the movie series about the young wizard complete, work may soon start to dry up and a change of career be on the cards.

Adam Beevers - affectionately known as ‘The Worm’ though it would be unfair to explain why. Mentioned doing the 42 miles in one day and will no doubt be on his own if he decides to try it.

Rob Bradford - love child of Esther Rantzen and Robin Gibb. Often seen on building sites dressed as one of the Village People but Village Idiot is maybe more appropriate.

Gavin Butler - infamously known as Bubba, the Bear Wrestler or Bed Breaker. Regularly disappears on a night out but will hopefully last the duration of the walk.

Simon Johnson - as camp as a row of pink tents and for some reason wanted Moscow to be the venue of his Stag Do next year. Hopefully he won’t be Russian off at the start of the walk as it will require a steady pace throughout.

Lee Moor - no need for Goldenballs when you have Gingerballs. At football he prefers to be called Edmundo yet the colour of hair is proof enough that there is no connection to any South America country.

Kevin Morris - vest wearer of the group. Could well be spotted marching down the A64 whilst doing his impression of Bruce Willis from the Die Hard series of films.

Martin Reynolds - better known as Ferret. Should make it to the finish line if kept in a healthy supply of either Pringles or Chariots takeaway.