A former soldier and four friends have set off for the Somme on a marathon fund raising and commemorative walk.

Anthony Pearson, who served in the 2nd Battalion Queen's Regiment, will be walking 150 miles from the Somme to Staplehurst, following First World War battlelines, in aid of Help for Heroes.

He will also lay a wreath in memory of his great grandfather's cousin, Thomas Harris VC, from Halling, who received the Victoria Cross in 1918.

Yesterday (Thursday) Mr Pearson, Karl Gable, Mark Gable, Darren Pearson and Ian Salisbury, who are all involved with the trip, either by walking or providing back up, visited Maidstone Museum, which is home to the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Museum where Harris' VC is kept.

Mr Pearson said he was surprised and honoured to have been allowed to see the medal.

He was also given a copy of his service record.

The wreath will be laying the wreath on the grave on behalf of the Regimental Association of the Royal West Kent and on behalf of Queen's Own Royal West Kent Museum.

They hope to complete the walk back to Staplehurst in a week, raising money for Help for Heroes, and have received sponsorship from Canary Wharf Ltd, London; Trident Trailers, Maidstone; Water for Work, Marden; Biddenden Vineyard; Yeomans Outdoor Leisure, Derbyshire; The Rose and Crown, Wrotham; The Red Lion, Biddenden; The Kings Head, Staplehurst; Commercial Home and Garden Services and Absolute Pest Control.

To support the team, visit www.justgiving.com/Anthony-Pearson and for more details on the event visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk/events_a_z/events_k.html#1