Marathon effort

RECRUITS from the Army Training Regiment at Bassingbourn Barracks put in some extra leg work on Saturday when they took part in a charity marathon. The event saw recruits from the Kitchener Company split into four platoons, and each platoon completed 1,000km on a different apparatus - including rowing, cycling, cross training and running. Major Louise Mallin said: "It was quite tiring for them. "A lot of them have been involved in sponsored events before but this was quite physically demanding, which is what being in the military is all about. "They all thoroughly enjoyed it though and we hope to have raised about £5,000 for charity." The charities set to benefit from the event are the Army Benevolent Fund, Chelsea Royal Hospital, Sunshine Pre-School Playgroup, based at the barracks, and an ME charity, which was supported because the daughter of one of the organisers has the illness. They have spent the past two years working towards achieving the award, which has included completing personal challenges as well as group challenges. Beaver Scout leader Jacqui Avory said: "It was fantastic as we've worked really hard over the past two years to get them through. She said she was "proud" of seeing the six collect the awards.