A TEENAGER is to embark on a voyage of remembrance, adventure and personal development to mark a century-old anniversary.

Trey Shellum is one of 96 Army Cadets to undertake the challenge which is being staged to mark the close of the First World War next year.

Trey is a member of the Parsons Heath detachment in Colchester and will be 16-years-old when he and 48 injured soldiers work together to sail from Cardiff to Belfast, Edinburgh and then London.

Lord Dannatt’s Round Britain Challenge next summer is the ultimate nod to the armed forces and their sacrifice for their country.

Trey’s mum Amanda said she could not be prouder of her son.

She said: “Once I saw the event on Facebook, I told him, it sounds like something he’d love.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity being with people of all different abilities and he’s someone who loves adventure.

“As part of the application he had to submit a personal statement and ideas as to how he’d raise the minimum fundraising amount.

“Trey is a good team leader and loves pushing himself so he came up with lots of ideas like a kick-a-thon at his karate club and a non-school uniform day at the Gilberd School in Colchester.

“We also worked out it’s about 170 miles between Cardiff to London so cycling the distance on an exercise bike with his cadet troupe was another idea.”

A Just Giving page is now active for Trey’s adventure and the family is appealing to Colchester businesses to donate raffle and auction prizes.

It is going to be a momentous occasion for fisherman Trey, who has been with the cadets for three years, but never been in a sailing boat.

The mum-of-two from Colchester said: “When he was younger, he wanted to be a soldier so once he got to the age he could join the cadets, he was out there.

“He absolutely loves it. This will push him out of his comfort zone and he’ll need to work hard.

“Each leg is ten days but the whole journey will be 40.”

In each capital city thousands of cadets, instructors and supporters will have the opportunity to visit the ship and participate in the festival.

A quarter of a wooden shield will be presented to the crew in each city until the final piece of the shield is presented in London, where the cadets will march it to the Tower of London.

The shield will be a First World War memorial. Amanda admitted: “I’ll probably cry when we meet him and see him march.

“I was in tears last week just at knowing he was selected.

“Trey is so excited and proud to be an Army cadet.

“He knows we’re from an Army town and lucky to get this opportunity, but until he’s done it, he won’t realise how big this is.”

Amanda and Trey have appealed for more help to boost their funds which will pay for the cost of taking part in the challenge.

To help with fundraising or to offer raffle prizes, click here.