For most people the thought of running a single marathon is a daunting task requiring months of preparation.

However, one serving soldier from near Canterbury set himself the challenge of running seven marathons in seven days to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

Poppy Appeal volunteers are finally back on the streets collecting once again

Daniel Cope is now more than halfway through the challenge and has run just over 100 miles in four days.

He is re-tracing the journey taken 101 years ago by an unknown British soldier as he was brought from Dover to Westminster Abbey to be laid to rest in the tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

The fundraiser was initially planned for last year - Daniel and a group of friends were set to complete the journey carrying a stretcher on their backs.

Due to the pandemic this was cancelled, but the team raised more than £8,000 and so this year's challenge was re-imagined to make it even more gruelling.

Daniel is trained as drone pilot but has been working as a military instructor in Dorset for the past year.

He said: "I started in Dover which is where the unknown soldier came ashore, I just basically ran the coast all the way from Dover to Ramsgate.

"I stopped the clock at Ramsgate because I hit 26.2 miles and then the next day I just carried on the clock from Ramsgate."

The route Daniel is taking meanders across the Kent coastline before heading up to Westminster Abbey.

He added: "I wanted to commit to the challenge for the people who had already donated and if I included the Isle of Grain and the Isle of Sheppey in the route it allowed me to get that mileage in and make it a real challenge."

Daniel continued: "The Royal British Legion is an amazing cause. I've seen it in action, not only with veterans, but with current serving soldiers.

"It's a brilliant organisation and charity - I just really wanted to put some money into them for the work that they do."

Sales for the Poppy Appeal last year were down significantly as volunteers were unable to sell poppies and collect money on the streets and in supermarkets.

They say that they are more grateful than ever for the independent fundraising work being done by people like Daniel.

Charlotte Robinson from the Royal British Legion said: "Daniel is a serving soldier, so what he is doing in his down time is even more incredible. He's taking time out of his busy schedule to fundraise for people just like himself."

However, the team can't wait to get out for the 100th anniversary of the charity and sell poppies in person again.

Charlotte added: "The community sense is almost ingrained in us. We like to see those familiar faces in the supermarkets and high streets.

"Just seeing that table with the poppies on is really lovely and heart-warming. There's no better feeling than for our 100th year being able to have them back out."

To try and make the transactions more accessible for those who no longer carry cash, the charity have moved their collections into the 21st century.

Carl Lewis is a poppy seller in Tonbridge and feels the option to pay without cash is a move in the right direction for the charity.

Carl said: "It's helping out because a lot of people don't really want to carry coins and notes with them, so we do have a contactless machine with us at our stand in Tonbridge town centre.

"It has made the world of difference. For the people who have come out without any money on them but would still like to buy a poppy and donate, it is the perfect opportunity for them to do so."

The Royal British Legion will be out collecting until Armistice Day - Thursday, November 11.

To donate to Daniel Cope's seven marathon challenge, click here.

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