A soldier is planning to complete five marathons in five days to raise money for veterans.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Paul Cornish, of Malvern, will be taking part in the Forces March 2011 – a 132.5-mile super challenge in aid of Project 65, the Veterans Charity.

While running the route he will also be carrying a 15kg backpack.

The event was created to unite civilians with personnel from the military and emergency services to raise vital funds for the care and support of UK Armed Forces heroes and their families.

The Forces March retraces the route taken in 1942 by men of the then newly formed 6th Airborne Division on a legendary training march from Devon to Wiltshire.

WO2 Cornish said: “Having served 21 years in the Army I have deployed on many operations and experienced at first hand the human cost of battle.

“I have seen friends and colleagues killed and wounded. Events like this preserve their memory and raise funds to ease the lives of those injured and maimed but also for the bereaved families who are the hidden casualties.

“It will be a hard task but I have trained well and will complete the course.

“I would not expect sponsorship for attempting something easy. I am looking forward to the challenge.”

He will cover at least 26.2 miles a day on five consecutive days starting in Ilfracombe, North Devon, tomorrow and will finish at the Forces Festival in Bulford, Wiltshire, on Sunday.

To sponsor WO2 Cornish, visit justgiving.com/Catterick-Hotspots.

More information on the Forces March 2011 can be found on the website forcesmarch.org.uk.