A CITY commando is taking steps to raise £1million for charity by organising an event which will see troops march to mark the death of servicemen and women.

Lance Corporal Ram Patten, who serves with Stonehouse-based UK Landing Force Command Support Group, is organising a series of events under the title 'March For Honour'.

The 30-year-old's idea has sparked a flurry of support with his colleagues in the Royal Marines, the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force all signing up.

Servicemen and women from across the country will each take part in fundraising events across the UK in the run up to the main event in early November.

This will see teams – representing all the services – speed march a mile in memory of each and every fallen comrade from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

They will then meet up at Wootton Bassett – now widely known as the place where dead servicemen arrive back in the UK – and march onto the Royal Albert Hall in London to take part in the annual Festival of Remembrance.

To date 253 servicemen and women have died in operations in Afghanistan. A total of 179 service personnel died in Iraq.

L/Cpl Patten, who lives in Eggbuckland, said he is hoping to raise "at least" £1million for the Royal British Legion during the events, which will include the Plymouth Half Marathon.

He added that he hoped the event would be recognised nationally, and admitted to being "overwhelmed" by the support so far.

"You always shoot for the galaxy and hope to hit the moon," he said.

"I wanted it to become a national event and there was some doubt, but as the weeks have gone by it has been taken on board by many other people.

"I came up with the idea last year after returning from Afghanistan with 40 Commando and being diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

"I received treatment for nine months at HMS Drake and I knew, during that time, that I wanted to give something back and raise awareness of the issue.

"I want to rally the country to support each and every one of us. People need to realise that it's not just the people that come back from war with injuries that need support, it's also the families and friends back at home. That is my driving force."

L/Cpl Patten said he is also keen to express the gratitude of the nation for the efforts of older generations during times of war. "The March For Honour is also there to show the older generation, who fought for our rights and freedom, that their efforts have not been wasted and that the younger generation are grateful for their sacrifices," he added.

His first fundraising event will be the Tough Ten Challenge in Weston-super-Mare on February 14.

Among L/Cpl Patten's supporters is Falklands veteran Simon Weston.

He told The Herald: "I am here to support Ram. I thought the idea was brilliant and a lovely simple concept.

"It caught my imagination. I am sure he will achieve what he has set out to achieve and I give him all my support."

For details on the March For Honour events visit: www.bmycharity.com/rampatten, www.march4honour.com or Facebook 'March 4 Honour'.