Military Cross holder Brian Wood completed his second Ultimate Sacrifice Challenge on November 7 by running his 35th marathon in 35 days.

Brian, from Whitehill, decided to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict by running a mile for every British life lost there in addition to those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He ran a total of 917 miles to remember 890 people. A marathon is run over 26.2 miles, so Brian decided to dedicate each day’s 0.2 miles to the Queen, as 35 lots of 0.2 miles equals 7.0 miles – a mile for every decade of her 70-year reign.

Brian decided to get as many children involved as possible on the final day, visiting First Steps Pre-School, Greatham School, St Matthew’s School, Woodlea School, Weyford School and The Holme School on his way to the finish line at Hogmoor Inclosure.

He aimed to raise £250,000 for veterans’ charity Walking With The Wounded when he started with the London Marathon on October 2. Four of his marathons were run in the Falklands.

Brian said: “After watching the 40th anniversary of the Falklands war on television, I could relate to the soldiers’ emotional accounts of war.

“It inspired me to run the Ultimate Sacrifice Challenge again, but this time remembering those who never made it home from the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I have supported Walking With The Wounded for years and I know they continue to support so many people who need it.”

Walking With The Wounded chief executive Fergus Williams added: “This challenge is a phenomenal way to pay tribute to our servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Iraq, Afghanistan and Falklands wars.

“Walking With The Wounded is incredibly grateful to Brian and all our fundraisers who support the charity and those who served.”

Brian, a former Colour Sergeant in the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in combat after showing courageous leadership in Iraq.

He was later accused of war crimes but was fully vindicated, and his story was the subject of the BBC2 film Danny Boy – the name of the British checkpoint where Brian earned his Military Cross.

To make a donation to support Brian visit https://givepenny.com/TheUltimateSacrifice2022