THREE former Colchester Sixth Form College students are preparing to embark on a monumental trekking challenge to help a charity get through the pandemic.

Owen Gosling-Campbell, Harrison Burns, and Tom Benson, all aged 19, will walk the length of the county in aid of Age Concern once the lockdown has been fully lifted.

The trio of trekkers, who were all once part of the air and army cadets, are hoping to complete the 82 mile Essex Way walk in three days, starting off in Epping.

Over the 72 hour period, Owen, Harrison, and Tom, will gradually pass through Pleshey, in Chelmsford, and Colchester, before concluding in Harwich.

Owen, who lives in North Hill, Colchester, last year completed a 108km walk around the Isle of Arran for Age Concern and hopes he and his crew can get trekking by the start of August.

“I was not originally going to do a challenge this year but the whole coronavirus situation has meant Age Concern has taken a huge financial hit,” he said.

“So, I assembled my own team of friends to come together for the challenge, in support of our elderly community.

“We do not have a confirmed date yet because we are waiting for campsites and places to stay to open again.

“It is annoying, but it is an unfortunate situation we find ourselves in, but things will get better soon.

“I think this is perhaps the most insane challenge I have ever come up with, but we will definitely give it our best.”

In addition to Age Concern, Owen, Harrison, and Tom are specifically walking in support of the elderly military community and veterans.

To honour that, they are planning on carrying a flag for the entire journey, branded with the names of veterans from Essex.

The determined ramblers will also be wearing military boots and carrying equipment throughout the gruelling route, on which they will visit the graves of war heroes.

“We really want to make personal for anyone supporting the challenge, so for people to know their loved ones’ names are with us will be really nice,” added Owen.

Owen and his team are hoping to raise £6,000 for Age Concern and currently have received more than £1,000 in donations.

To donate visit gofundme.com/f/you-the-island-and-i.