Yesterday’s 13-mile Yuletide Yomp to raise money for injured servicemen included current and former soldiers, cadets, local dignitaries and other supporters. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0895323)

GUERNSEY soldiers showed their support for comrades yesterday when they took to the roads to raise money for Help for Heroes.

The 13-mile Yuletide Yomp was organised by serving rifleman Alex Ward. He, along with more than 10 other serving local troops, was home for Christmas.

They were joined by former servicemen, supporters, Elizabeth College Combined Cadet Force members and Lt-Governor Sir Fabian Malbon and Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland.

‘I knew a lot of the lads would be home and it seemed like a good opportunity to raise some money for the troops. A lot of them won’t be home for Christmas,’ said Mr Ward, who is currently serving with the 5th Battalion the Rifles, stationed in Paderborn, Germany.

He saw active service in Basra this year and expects to be posted to Afghanistan in the next couple of years.

‘It’s great for us all to get together. I didn’t realise how many serving guys there were from the island,’ said Mr Ward, who hopes the event will become regular.