A brave Mansfield Woodhouse man is aiming to complete a special challenge this weekend.

Sunday, 28th June, as well as being the last day of Armed Forces Week, marks 100 years since the Royal Corps of Signals was formed.

Former Royal Signals soldier Dave Wilkinson, who was medically discharged from the Army in 2017, following almost 13 years’ service, decided to take on a gruelling ‘100 for 100’ challenge in his rugby wheelchair to mark the occasion – and has so far raised more than £1,000.

The challenge consists of doing 100km in one day – 250 laps of a running track in 12 hours. Dave has already completed 100 x 10km sprints, so he will have completed 200km, in total, by Sunday.

Dave said: “As a former Royal Signals JNCO (Junior Non Commissioned Officer), I thought it would be great to try to give something back to the Royal Signals Charity which supported me after my amputation. They also support many other Royal Signals soldiers and veterans, too.

“I know we are all currently under challenging times, but if anyone is able to support my sponsorship page, whether by sharing it or making a donation or even taking part in a 100 for 100 challenge themselves, this would help the Royal Signals Charity in both creating awareness and raising funds to support others, too.”

See Dave’s sponsorship page at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DavidWilkinson53

Mayor Andy Abrahams, who will be there to congratulate Dave at the end of his challenge, said: “It is very important that we, as a community, recognise the important part the Armed Forces played and continue to play in maintaining the peace and security of this country.

“We hope people will join us in giving them a big pat on the back by sharing your own messages of thanks with us on our social media pages.

“If the public would like to support Dave in his 100 for 100 challenge, they can make a donation to the Royal Signals Charity via Dave’s fundraiser page.”