A SOLDIER from Darwen is among an 11-strong team from the Corps of Royal Engineers who have completed the first week of a 22-day non-stop run across Great Britain.

Former Darwen Moorland High School pupil Lance Corporal Jonathan "Ginge" Waller, 25, has battled injuries, blizzards and mechanical breakdowns as part of the Exercise Sapper Challenge 2000.

The 2,500-plus mile relay run is now heading towards Lancashire from Scotland. It started at the Millennium Dome on December 9 and will finish back in London on New Year's Eve.

All money raised twill be split equally between the Children's Promise appeal and the Army Benevolent Fund.

Jonathan said: "I volunteered to take part in Sapper Challenge because it will give me a unique opportunity to be part of a team that will raise money for two worthy causes.

"At the same time the event will push each runner to the limits of our physical and mental fitness."

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