SIX serving sailors from HMNB Clyde will attempt to walk the West Highland Way later this year to raise money for a veterans' charity.

The Faslane crew were so inspired by a visit to The Erskine Home in Bishopton in December that they decided to take on the challenge in support of the organisation.

Each member of the team works in the Waterfront Logistics Support Group (WLSG) within the catering services section at the base and they had initially aimed to complete the trek as an office team building exercise.

However, after visiting Erskine’s biggest care home in Renfrewshire just before Christmas, petty officer Andrew Rome suggested using the walk to raise money and awareness for the charity.

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The West Highland Way is Scotland’s premier long distance footpath running from Milngavie, north of Glasgow, to Fort William in the Highlands, with an element of hill walking in the route. It is a 155km (96mile) long trail which can take between five and eight days to complete.

Walking the route will be warrant officer class one Kevin Shenton, from Stranraer, chief petty officers Simon Scott, from Kent and Colin Groves, from Leicester, petty officer Gareth Butler, from Stockport and leading hands James Brady, from Doncaster and David Muir, from Glasgow.

Petty officer Rome, also from Glasgow, is no longer able to take part in the walk but will still be involved with the organisation.

The team are undertaking their own individual training plans after work and last week took on the first team walk from Milngavie to Drymen. They also plan to climb Ben Nevis and will begin their West Highland Way walk on Monday, May 4, hoping to have completed the route by Saturday, May 9.

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Leading hand Muir said: “Having recently visited The Erskine Home I was taken aback by the level of care the staff provide for our veterans. It really is second to none.

"I am predominantly taking part in the walk to raise as much money and awareness as possible of the wonderful care that Erskine provides.”

Erskine community fund-raiser for the west, Jim Watret, added: “The support Erskine has received from HMNB Clyde over the last 24 months has been fantastic and this latest fund-raising effort by the Waterfront Logistics Support Group continues that bond of friendship that exists between the current Royal Navy personnel and our veterans.”

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