A COMMUNITY interest company based near Moretonhampstead is holding a 50 kilometre trek and fundraising challenge to support armed forces veterans on their Courses for Forces project.

Running Deer CIC is an enterprise set up to support local people, including those at risk of exclusion and provides access to training, volunteering, life skills opportunities and work experience in Butterdon Wood, just outside Moretonhampstead.

The Courses for Forces programme provides learning, training, work experience and personal development opportunities for transitioning and ex-service personnel.

The project also provides veterans with the opportunity to volunteer some time to support and mentor disengaged young people, all taking place at Butterdon Wood.

The CIC has organised 'The Butterdon to Butterdon Challenge 2015', a 50 kilometre trek from June 26 to June 28 across Dartmoor to raise awareness of access in the countryside, to support former forces veterans and to raise funds for the Courses for Forces programme.

The challenge is to walk from Butterdon Wood near Moretonhampstead to Butterdon Hill and then into Ivybridge to raise funds for the project. 

The Courses for Forces project supports armed forces veterans and transitioning personnel, many of whom have post traumatic stress disorder, and some of whom have physical disabilities and injuries as well.

Running Deer's current grant came to an end in May 2015 and unfortunately bids to other veteran grant giving charities to keep the project going have so far been unsuccessful. The fundraiser will hopefully make up the shortfall in funding for the project.

For further information and to book a place on the first course visit http://www.runningdeer.org.uk">www.runningdeer.org.uk