TWO soldiers undertaking a 14-day 525-mile gruelling fundraising challenge in memory of six fallen comrades stopped to visit the grave of a Bradford soldier.

Injured veteran Andy Reid and Warrant Officer Glen Hughes began their Warrior Challenge last week, pledging to cycle 400 miles and kayak 125 miles in total.

Their route takes them to the graves of six soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan in 2012, including Private Christopher Kershaw, 19, from Bradford.

On Sunday they met the family of Pte Kershaw at his graveside at Holy Trinity Church in Idle.

The pair presented Pte Kershaw’s mum Monica with an engraved brass shell casing containing a citation.

Mrs Kershaw said: “It was a lovely service at Christopher’s grave and it was lovely to chat to the guys doing the challenge and find out what they are doing.”

She added that she was extremely proud to receive the engraved shell casing, which was such “precious thing” to be given.

The challenge, which is raising funds for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and Style for Soldiers, is named after the armoured vehicle the six men were travelling in when they were hit by an explosive device.

MORE TOP STORIES

It saw them start in Lytham St Annes on June 16 and will finish in London. They hope to raise £50,000.

Speaking before the challenge, Mr Reid, who lost both legs and an arm in Afghanistan, said: “Glen and I really wanted to pay a fitting tribute to the lads who lost their lives, so hopefully this challenge will do just that.

“We will visit each of their graves along the way before stopping off at the Headquarters of 3 Yorks in Warminster. It’s going to be tough but we’re really up for it.”

WO Hughes, who is recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder, added: “We’re both veterans of Afghanistan and we both came back with life-changing injuries, but that won’t be getting in the way of this challenge. It’s a great chance to pay tribute to the guys who died whilst also raising money for two charities close to us.

They are also joined by Andy North, a cycling world record holder from Ultra6, who will be running a marathon alongside them every day.

To support the challenge, visit warriorchallenge2017.com.