THEY may be battered and bruised, but a team of determined paratroopers have returned home in one piece after a taking on a marathon charity challenge.

Lieutenant Bob Barrows, Corporal Eddie Walton, Master Sergeant Josh Geery, Lance Corporal Mike Wynne, Corporal Ian Greenslade and Lance Corporal Andy Hutton set off on their bikes from Bosnia-Herzegovina, cycling across seven countries in memory of one of their close friends and colleagues.

Their journey took them through Croatia and Slovakia, west into Austria before heading across Germany, into Holland then ending back at the barracks in Colchester.

Halstead Gazette:

They covered a distance of 1,100 miles collecting money for Support Our Paras in honour of colleague Will Plant, who died this year.

The team arrived back at the barracks in Colchester on Friday.

Lieutenant Bob Barrows said it was a struggle, but the team pulled through.

He said: “It was amazing, getting going was difficult at first as we were on a tight budget and we had to think about route selection as Bosnia is very hilly.

“Our biggest ascent was about 68,000 feet, plus there was the time factor.

“We had a some mechanical issues and were crashing into bushes and ditches, and into each other - all of those things made the risk level quite high.”

They sustained a few injuries along the way, but the breathtaking views and opportunity to experience different cultures made the trip memorable.

Lieutenant Barrows added: “Going down the Alps really stood out, we spent eight hours climbing and came down within 30 minutes, at speeds of up to 60mph.

“Seeing the world change, watching the mountains and the different kinds of people, it was absolutely incredible.

“Most of the time you are just staring at someone’s tyre in front of you, but when we got that time to soak up the places we were in, it was really good.

“In Holland there was a prestigious battle called Operation Market Garden, where the 1st Parachute Brigade held out for nine days.

“The Second World War battle epitomises the spirit of the Parachute Regiment, for some of us it was the first time we had been so it was pretty special.”

The team arrived back in Colchester just in time for a 3 Para parade, during which they were commended for their “impressive effort”.

The team said Will would have been proud of their achievement. He was hit by a car in 2017 and was in hospital from that point onwards. His friends said he fought on longer than anyone expected him to.

Lance Cpl Andy Hutton said: “Will would probably think we were a bit mad, but his parents have played a huge part in raising donations.

“This was the first time I had ridden a bike in about seven weeks, I went over the handlebars in Austria.”

The team has managed to raise £5,000 for Support Our Paras. Jocelyn Binks and Verity Winsbury, of Hygiene Clean and Outlook Inventory Services, sponsored the event, donating equipment, accommodation and clothing along the trip.

Jocelyn said: “This is about a garrison town coming together and it’s just giving back and getting behind them.”

To donate visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/maroonmemorial.