AN RAF reservist from Peel will be running 44 miles along the Normandy coast to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day on June 6 and in remembrance of his granddad who took part in the landings.

Martin Wade will be following a route across the invasion beaches to raise money for the military mental health charity Combat Stress.

He will also be taking on the challenge in memory of his grandfather, Sergeant Bert Wade, who landed with the Royal Engineers on the beaches of Normandy.

The 48-year-old runner who has competed in many half-marathons, marathons and ultra-marathons said that although this was among the toughest challenges he has taken on, he was conscious of the much tougher challenge facing men who landed on those beaches on D-Day in 1944. ’The 44 miles will be gruelling, but it’s nothing compared to the experience of those who went ashore 75 years ago,’ he said.

’We can only imagine what it felt like to wait in a pitching landing craft, not knowing if you would be cut down in a hail of fire or if you would survive to the end of the day. Some did make it through, like my granddad, but many didn’t and I will be thinking of them as I run along those beaches.’

Martin is a media operations officer with Number 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

He will be joining runners who will also be raising money for military charities.

Martin said that he is proud to be raising money for Combat Stress and to support the fantastic work they do.

’Combat Stress has been helping former servicemen and women deal with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression for 100 years and have been there to help veterans from all the wars the UK has fought since then. Today they are there support and specialist treatment for veterans and I hope my fundraising will help them in the work they do,’ he said.

To make a donation, visit bit.ly/DDay44mile