A MARINE who raised almost £13,000 for injured colleagues by running a marathon in Afghanistan is already preparing his next challenge – a swim across the English Channel.
Stuart ‘Mel’ Melville, 46, completed 19 laps of his compound in Afghanistan, where he was training members of the Afghan National Army.
The cash he raised from his September run will go to help injured members of 40 Commando and and their families a memorial garden at their Norton Manor Camp base.
Mel and his son, Will, 20, who was in Afghanistan at the same time, have been to visit injured Marines from 40 Commando at the Headley Court rehabilitation centre in Surrey.
Mel, who has presented a cheque to 40 Commando’s Major Renny Bulmer, said: “The marathon was extremely arduous because of the heat, but it was for a worthy cause.
“I’m looking forward to my next challenge next year of swimming the Channel.”
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