Paul Thorner, a local Veteran from Paulton, has completed his 47 mile march across Hadrian’s Wall, carrying a backpack weighing 21 kilos in memory of colleagues and loved ones. The bricks, which were decorated by local artists and friends, will form part of a wall of bricks carried by others, which will go to the Light Infantry Museum in Bodmin to form a memorial. At the last count, he had raised over £7,500 for Care for Casualties, which raises awareness of PTSD and supports servicemen and women who have been injured during service in Iraq or Afghanistan. This huge total was achieved through the generosity of the public, Paul’s family and friends, and 21 local companies that sponsored him.

The march started with a Drum Head service at Lanercost Priory, in remembrance of lost comrades. All taking part had to carry at least one brick with the name of a lost comrade. The weight of the brick was to symbolise the burdens our troops carry following service.

Paul’s five memorial bricks were for his comrade, CPL Glyn Woodland, from Peasedown St John and family members, Barry Thorner, LAC Graham Thorner, Margaret and Eric Goddard, and David and Karen Goddard. The bricks had all been painted by local artists, Max Buckland, Grant Johnson, David Youdle, Anne Fleet, and CPL Glyn Woodland’s family.

Paul said: “I knew it was not going to be easy. I have been training for ten months. The weather was hot and the terrain rough, with very steep hills, but the views were breath-taking. The banter along the way kept us going. It was quite emotional, seeing the bricks standing together – it makes you realise how many comrades we have lost in service, through suicide and ill health.”

The 47 mile march ended in Heddon on the Wall, where supporters lined the streets to see the Veterans march through the village, led by a motorbike escort and Veteran Riders. Paul’s target was to raise £1,000, but he had reached this target within one week of setting up his fundraising page.

Paul would like to thank everyone for their very kind donations and the support he has received. He would also like to thank the following companies for their sponsorship: Beans & Machines, Beechcraft, Future Build, Paulton Rovers, Ford Fuel Oils, CRS Build Supply, Paul Gunstone, Active Robots, Flower & Hayes, Thorner Homes, Avon Door & Lock, RM Penny, TLC Bath, DKL Garden Service, For Farmers, PW Preservations, Purple Turtle Graphics, ASE Couriers, Carpet & Fabric Direct, Smallwood Carpentry, Mark Rogers and the Medlock Charitable Trust for their generous donation; Dickies for the high viz jacket donation and Tesco Paulton for their support.

If you woud like to donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-thorner