A FORMER Royal Marine from Tavistock is set to complete an arduous circuit of 66 miles over two days, raising money for a former comrade.

Jamie Turpin, 31, will take on the renowned ’Bob Graham’ challenge in a few weeks with three other local residents and will raise funds for close friend and former Royal Marine Josh Pelland who is now paralysed from the waist down after a climbing fall of 65ft.

Completing the challenge will mean the Tavistock team will have undertaken a circuit of 27,000ft incorporating 42 of the highest peaks in the English Lake District.

First done in 1932 by Bob Graham, hotelier of Keswick, Cumberland, at the age of 42, the 42 Peak Round has become a testing ground for the supremely fit. Each summer around 100 of the most highly tuned ultra-distance fell runners will attempt the 27,000 ft of ascent within the allotted time.

The team — Jamie, Liz and Lottie Fulton and Woppy Keeling, with a vehicle supporting at the few access opportunities possible — are looking forward to tackling the course and all have their own reasons for taking it on!

Jamie left the Royal Marines in 2012, is a personal trainer at Tavistock Physio Clinics Ltd and is no stranger to a course of this magnitude.

‘I wanted a challenge of this scale so when I was asked to be part of the team, I jumped at the chance. I’m doing the run to navigate for the team, challenge myself and raise money for Josh.

‘After his horrific accident, Josh has not stopped, he will not let this beat him and he is determined to carry on challenging himself — he started hand cycling and trains three times a week with a coach, and is determined to get to the Paralympics.

‘Josh wants people to know that no matter how badly you are injured you can achieve so much. He was a good friend during my time with the Royal Marines, came to my wedding and has stayed in touch after we both went our separate ways. He’s been a source of morale and support for me so the least I can do is support him back. I’d love to see him compete for Canada in the Paralympics.’

When Josh left the Royal Marines he climbed full-time around the World — Europe, Africa and North America.

He said: ‘I enjoyed rock, ice and mixed climbing but I took a massive fall of 65ft which changed my life forever. A list of some of my injuries included collapsed lungs, aortic dissection, multiple vertebrae breaks and a severed spinal cord at T6 level.’

Undeterred, after four months Josh started hand cycling and his future intentions include a 280km hand cycle through the ice fields parkway, mountains and glaciers — he also has a secret plan for next year.

‘I can’t thank Jamie enough for raising money for my journey, it will all help towards my goal of one day making it to the Paralympics.

‘My overall intention though is to encourage, motivate and inspire people that no matter where they are they can accomplish anything.’