TRAIN driver Paul Southernwood couldn't be farther away from the challenges of his day job when he takes on the 100 Peaks Challenge.

Paul, 50, and from Colchester, is one of six people who’ve committed to trekking 100 peaks in just 25 days – throwing in a few cycle rides and kayaking in between.

But to them, it is a small price to pay for the sacrifice made by soldier Lloyd Newell, in whose memory the arduous task will be.

Corporal Lloyd, from Witham, was killed aged 32 in 2011 while on SAS operations in Helmand Province.

He was married with a nine-week-old daughter.

Dad-of-two, Paul who is based from Colchester Train Station, said the fundraiser was the idea of friend Karl Rushen who is originally from Colchester.

Paul said: “His brother was in the Army and finished up in the Special Forces.

“He was killed in Afghanistan on his third tour on the 25th day.

“We are going to start on the anniversary of the third tour – May 23 – and finish on the anniversary of his death – June 16.”

The team will tackle 45 peaks in Scotland, 44 in England, 10 in Wales and one on the Isle of Man, including Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.

Paul said: “We have been planning it for two years and it has got to the stage now where we just want to get started. To us it sounds remotely sane.

“We have done the training and we have done as much as we can.”

But he admitted he’s not confident the challenge, including pedalling a total of more than 1,000 miles, is in the bag.

“If you know you can do it, it is not really a challenge.”

Paul has just finished ten years as an Army reservist and has previously taken part in a number of endurance events but nothing as extreme as this.

The team begin their challenge in Inverness, Scotland, where they will cycle in a day the 80 miles to Fort William.

There they will set up camp for a week and during that time will embark on a number of climbs in the surrounding area.

Each peak will be a minimum of 2,000ft plus, the team will complete a cycle tour of the area.

Paul, who has a partner, Lesley Kemp, said: “These will just break it up and give us a rest from hill walking.”

The team will next cycle to southern Scotland for more climbing and cycling before hoping to kayak across to the Isle of Man for an ascent there.

The Lake District will be the next port of call before Snowdon, Wales.

The group’s final leg will see them cycle to the Brecon Beacons before they ascend Pen y fan, a 2,907ft mountain used by the Special Forces for its training.

The 100 Peaks Challenge aims to raise £100,000 for ABF The Soldier’s Charity and Support Our Paras.

You can sponsor Paul at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Paul100Peaks