FOUR former soldiers from the Tavistock area are hoping the community will embrace a major fundraising effort for armed forces charity Help for Heroes in March and make it an annual event.

Hotelier Phil Biggin, bar owner Glen Duff, policeman Matt Hollins and vicar Greg Stanton want to bring all the events held for the charity throughout the year together on one day and at the same time raise awareness of Help for Heroes.

They have chosen Sunday, March 22 as the day to host the fundraiser and want as many people as possible to join them in raising cash.

Phil, who is managing director of Browns Hotel in Tavistock, said: 'We want this to be a Help for Heroes Tavistock day. We are starting this up because we are associated with the military but we would like it to become something that is led by the community and involves everyone.'

Browns and Jack Chams, which is owned by Glen Duff, will be hosting events on the day, including auctions, raffles, live entertainment and a presentation by the charity.

The main focus for the day will be a walk on Dartmoor. Glen, who spent 23 years in the armed forces, said: 'We envisage it will be like Tavistock Food Festival in terms of how it has grown and grown over the last few years. The four of us will disperse and next year Tavistock will take it over.'

People can walk any distance they choose and donate as much money as they want to take part.

'We are giving people the option of making a donation or raising money themselves so they do not have to spend weeks afterwards trying to get the money together,' said Phil.

'We want families to get involved and anyone with a fundraising idea can join in from a sponsored sack race to businesses donating 10p from their sales on that day.'

Anyone wishing to take part in the walk or has a fundraising idea should log onto the specially set up website http://www.help4heroestavistock.2day.ws">www.help4heroestavistock.2day.ws

Help for Heroes was started in October 2007 to help support wounded servicemen and women injured in current conflicts. Since then more than £1-million a month has been raised.