Injured soldiers join south coast charity sail

A sailor is hoping to raise £20,000 for armed forces charities by sailing along the south coast from Plymouth to London.

Chris Highnam will be joined by injured soldiers on his two-week voyage to Tower Bridge on the River Thames.

"A lot of our soldiers and sailors are out there fighting in Afghanistan and we wanted to give them some real support," he said.

Money raised will go to Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion.

The team will set sail from Plymouth's Sutton Harbour on 8 July and will be joined by a different member of the armed forces for each leg of the journey.

Mark Stonelake, who is taking part after being injured in Afghanistan, said: "It means a lot... it's just everyone doing their bit to try and raise as much as possible."

Land-based supporters will be on hand to collect money as the team sails past towns and villages along the coast.

It is hoped the venture will raise the profile of the charities and the plight of those injured while serving in the armed forces.