by Graham Tutthill

gtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

A Kent man and a colleague who are flying by paramotor from John O’ Groats to Dover are currently in Norfolk.

They have been flying down the east coast of England for the past few days and landed at Holt on Thursday, after covering 120 miles in a day.

Ex-paratrooper Colin Rees, from Whitstable, and his colleague Sarn Terry, son of Air Marshall Sir Colin Terry, are reaching heights in excess of 5,000 feet.

"We are stuck on the ground in Holt due to strong winds at the moment - unfortunately forecasted to increase - so we're not sure when we'll reach Dover," said Colin.

He made a hard landing at Holbeach and ended up on his back "embarrassing and undignified, but no limbs or kit damaged" he said.

"The fatigue is setting in, so it's going to be a hard few days trying to reach our finish line at Dover." Sarn has suffered a strained knee which is said to be improving every day.

They are raising money for Help for Heroes and hope to land safely at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School.

It is a feat never attempted before and would be daunting for even the most experienced of pilots.

They took off, in foggy conditions, on Friday, and by Monday had crossed the Scottish border into England.

"It has been amazing and terrifying in equal measure," said Colin, who is a 48-year-old Falklands war veteran.

"High points have been taking off at sunrise at John O'Groats, the spectacular view down Loch Ness and popping out of a cloud over the Cairngorns.

"Low points have been running out of fuel over a wide stretch of water, both pilots having some running-in problems with the motors, and waiting for the weather to change. really focussed on completing the flight and reaching Dover in time.

"A paramotor is basically a parachute with a motor strapped to your back.

"Due to the very poor weather we have had very limited opportunity to train and fly so we will be learning en route! I’m not sure if we’re being adventurous or a bit stupid!"

Colin, who now runs a computer software company, said the idea for the expedition came out of a chat with an ex-Para friend who had flown a Parahawk in a James Bond movie.

"He said it would be fun and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Now we’re praying for good weather!"

The aim is to raise money for Help for Heroes and also to raise awareness of the 30th anniversary of the Falklands war, especially among school children.

"I think it’s important for people to remember those who serve in the Armed Forces and I wanted to do something to commemorate the Falklands war. I chose to land at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School because it’s a fantastic school that has supported Armed Forces families for over 200 years, providing the quality of education and pastoral care these children need."

Charles Johnson, Headmaster at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School, said: "We’re looking forward to welcoming Colin and Sarn back to Dover and will get the whole school out to cheer them on. We have 150 acres of school grounds so hopefully they’ll be space to land. Help for Heroes is an incredibly good cause and one which is close to the hearts of our students whose families serve in the Armed Forces."

The whole expedition from first training, to take off in John O’Groats and landing in Dover, is being filmed by a professional film crew for a documentary/DVD which will raise more money for Help4heroes.

Colin and Sarn hope the public will get behind to support them by ‘Liking’ their Facebook page Flight for Heroes or donating via their website www.flight4heroes.com