Gruelling five-day challenge was “very challenging”.

For the third year running, former Royal Marine Mark White has taken part in The Forces March, carrying the Honiton-based Baton.

Mark, 51, rose to the challenge of the gruelling five-day event, which tested him mentally as well as physically.

In the 70th anniversary year of the march, Mark, along with other participants, including teams from RNAS Culdrose, RAF Odiham and 7 Rifles, ran or walked for 132 miles from Ilfracombe, North Devon, to Old Carter Barracks, Bulford, raising money for The Veterans’ Charity.

In the hottest week of the year, where temperatures were in the high 20s, going across Exmoor and Salisbury Plain proved to be very challenging.

Mark said it was the hardest march he had done of the three, but the spirit amongst all of the participants throughout was “brilliant” and he met some great people along the way.

“The experience will be remembered for a long time,” he said.

Mark collected The Baton from the charity’s founder, Alan Rowe MBE, in Honiton before embarking on the challenge.

Mr Rowe then travelled to Bulford to meet Mark at the finish.

Mark has nearly reached his fund-raising target of �1,000, helped by local businesses including South Coast Garage, Exmouth, Paul Dilling and Martineau Chiropractor, but you can still sponsor him on www.justgiving.com/knocker-white. All of the money raised will help veterans of all ages.