A PENSIONER from Abergavenny is walking more than 100 miles in aid of limbless ex-servicemen and women.

Former soldier Ian Waddell, 74, will climb a total of 21,000 feet next week to raise money for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association.

Mr Waddell, who has run across the Sahara, walked 2,000 miles around England and on three occasions run more than 200 miles without stopping, says this is “the last throw of the dice”.

He said: “Like all old vehicles, things start to fall apart and I do have arthritis and a sore knee, so this will probably be the last multi-day challenge I do.

“I chose this charity because it is not in the news enough,” said Mr Waddell, who served in the army for 22 years.

“You don’t hear much about the guys who come back from Afghanistan with three limbs missing.

I’d like to raise money and awareness too.”

Starting on Monday, October 1, Mr Waddell will leave Carreg Cennen Castle in the Brecon Beacons to arrive back at the Angel Hotel in Abergavenny for an afternoon reception next Saturday.

Mayor of Abergavenny Cllr Sam Dodd, and staff from the Angel, will join Mr Waddell and his dog, Jasper, along the way.

Having raised around £200,000 for charity over the last 30 years, he has no target for this walk, but has already received sponsorship from Mountain Warehouse, his local branch of Aldi and the Angel Hotel.

“I’ve logged my route with Mountain Rescue,” he said. “Now I just want to get on with it.”

To sponsor Mr Waddell, you can send a cheque payable to the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association, to the Abergavenny Hotel, 21 Monmouth Road, Abergavenny, NP7 5HF.