A 14-year-old cadet is undertaking an epic 24 hour challenge to raise money for his unit.

Aidan Jones of Cooling Street, Cooling , will begin his challenge at 5.30am on September 18, walking the horseshoe route up the 886 metre peak of Pen y Fan in South Wales, which is used by the military for selecting special forces personnel.

He'll then head back to Kent to complete a 50 mile cycle ride around the Peninsula and 10k 'yomp' carrying an army bergen, all in the space of 24 hours.

So far Aidan, who studies engineering and construction at University Technical College in Chatham, has raised more than £3000 of the £5000 target he hopes to collect for Chatham Royal Marine Cadets.

"I’ve been a Chatham Royal Marine Cadet now 18 months," writes Aidan on his JustGiving page . "I’ve had so much from the help from the staff and senior cadets I now want to give something back.

"I love my adventure training (hill walking, cycling, adventure sports)," he adds. "That’s why I really want to push myself with this."

Dad Mark said Aidan was particularly inspired by memories of his great grandfather Dennis Birch, a former 42 Commando Royal Marine, as well as his Uncle John and Uncle Rocky, who were both in 40 Commando.

"I'm just so proud of him," said Mark. "It's great that he's actually turned around during this low period of Covid and decided to do something.

"Aidan is not an X-Box or Playstation kid - he's very adventurous and this is the sort of thing he does.

"He's an old-school kind of boy, or young man - he does rock climbing, he's done indoor skydiving, he does motocross.

"Me and my wife Toni are very proud of him."

Mark will provide support along the way, but said it would otherwise be a completely solo challenge.

Donate to Aidan's cause by visiting the fundraising page .

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