By Phil Coleman

Published at 11:24, Thursday, 10 April 2008

IT’S the kind of journey few people would contemplate and even the most hardy would expect to spend at least a week trying it ...

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Yet a band of former marines, inspired by a brave Carlisle girl, plan to scale Britain’s highest mountain and then cross Scotland by boat and by bike twice, in less than 48 hours.

The Great Glen Challenge will raise cash for three-year-old Olivia Story, who knows a thing or two herself about overcoming impossible odds after she lost an arm and both her legs after contracting meningitis.

The youngster has made an incredible recovery, but over the years she will need a steady supply of high-quality prosthetic limbs if she is to lead an active life.

The Great Glen Challenge is the latest in a series of fundraising events organised to help her.

Oil-rig worker Callum Cormack said he and seven other former marines – five from Carlisle – have been training hard for the challenge in the first week of May.

Callum, 35, said: “We’ll be starting from Fort William at 2pm on Friday, May 2, kayaking 63 miles along the Caledonian Canal, taking in three lochs – Loch Ness, Loch Lochy and Loch Oich – all in less than 24 hours.

“We’re then going to cycle back across the country to Fort William, and then climb to the summit of Ben Nevis.

“It’s a challenge that we came up with – nobody else has been barmy enough to try. We’re looking forward to doing it, and we know that we’re doing it for a good cause, though it is going to be pretty hard going.”

The other Carlisle men taking part are: Rob Bryson, 44, another oil rig rope technician; Gareth Wade, 44, another oil rig worker; Mark Carruthers, 30, who works for Border Construction in Carlisle; and Alun Jones, 33.

To sponsor them or organise an event contact Jennie McKnespiey, secretary of the Olivia Story Trust, on 07736 287076 or email at jennie@oliviastorytrust.co.uk. Supporters can also donate online and find out more about Olivia by logging on to www.oliviastory.co.uk

PColeman@cngroup.co.uk

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk