A BRADFORD soldier and his nephew are gearing up for an 111-mile walk over four days which culminates at the top of the Rock of Gibraltar.

Warrant Officer Craig Dignam, 53, from Woodside, Bradford, joined the Army in 1983.

His nephew Danny O'Connor joined 10 years ago.

The pair have been in training to complete the equivalent of just over four marathons in four days which will see them set off from Torrox, in Malaga, on April 17.

The pair are aiming to raise at least £2,000 through a fundraising page for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) who help homeless veterans.

Already the men have reached over £1,200 but hope to swell the coffers by the time they reach their destination.

Neither are strangers to walking. They both took part in a 100-mile walk from Walsall football ground to Valley Parade, home to Bradford City Football Club over three days starting on April 1, 2017 and were joined by three other family members.

They raised funds for St John’s Hospice in Lancaster, and the burns unit in Bradford in memory of the 56 lives that were lost at Valley Parade fire in May 1985.

Craig recently raised money for all three service charities: Walk a Mile With A Smile, for the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust, the Army Benevolent Trust and the Royal Air Forec Benevolent Fund.

This challenge started on Dec 1, 2017 and finished on June 1 last year after walking 897 miles over 183 days.

His training for his latest ventures with his nephew sees him walking eight miles each day and between 15 and 20 miles each weekend.

Craig initially joined the Army as a 17 year old in 1983 after attending Woodside Middle School and later Buttershaw Upper School. He joined the local Armoured Corps Regiment 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, later transferring to the Royal Army Pay Corps. Currently he’s with the Adjutant General Corps, based near Warminster, but has served with many units and most branches.

Danny is a corporal with the Royal Logistics Corps and is based in South Cerney.

“Many years away from family did take its toll on me, but I knew that I was a member of a very special family, who for the last 37 years have supported me and my family through some very poignant times," said Craig.

"I’m very fortunate to be still serving and I’m very proud to able to still make a difference within the Armed Forces”.

He is looking forward to the latest challenge despite suffering with back pain from back injuries sustained in service.

Anyone wanting to donate to the JustGiving fundraising page should go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/craig-dignam3

Details of the walk can be found on the Facebook page Walk to the Rock.

There will also be updates on YouTube under the name Craig Dignam.