A GROUP of former college friends are preparing to embark on a monumental trekking challenge to help a charity get through the coronavirus pandemic.

Tom Benson, Harrison Burns and Owen Gosling-Campbell, all aged 19, will walk the width of the county in aid of Age Concern once the lockdown has been fully lifted.

The trio of trekkers, who were all once part of the Air and Army Cadets, are hoping to complete the 82-mile Essex Way walk in three days, starting off in Epping.

Over the 72-hour period, Tom, Owen, and Harrison will gradually pass through Pleshey, in Chelmsford, and Colchester, before ending in Harwich.

Tom, who lives in Coggeshall and is an instructor with the Essex Army Cadet Force’s Witham detachment, said: “In 2017, the three of us completed the 101st Nijmegen March, another long-distance endurance event.

“Owen has raised money for Age UK previously by walking the perimeter of the Isle of Arran solo last year.

“So with Covid-19 striking this year, the need for funding was larger than ever, hence Owen recruited myself and Harrison to help take on this greater challenge.

“Age UK is an important charity because the one thing that everyone has in common is that one day we’ll all be old and might need extra support.

“Everybody is likely to know of someone that has received support from Age UK. They’re brilliant, they do all sorts, from handy person services to IT training and social activities.”

Owen added: “I think this is perhaps the most insane challenge I have ever come up with, but we will definitely give it our best.”

The trio don’t yet know when they will be able to do the challenge because of the coronavrius pandemic but fundraising is already well underway.

In addition to Age Concern, the former Colchester Sixth Form students are walking in support of the elderly military community and veterans.

To honour that, they are planning on carrying a flag for the entire journey, branded with the names of veterans from Essex.

The determined ramblers will also be wearing military boots and carrying equipment along the gruelling route, as well as visiting the graves of war heroes.

Tom added: “This year Age UK has put a focus on veterans.

“In keeping with this theme, we are seeking the names of as many Essex veterans as we can to emblazon a flag with, which we will carry on our backs.

“We are interested the name, rank and service of veterans.”

The trio have raised more than £1,000 so far.

To donate visit gofundme.com/f/you-the-island-and-i.

To find out more information, visit facebook.com/youtheislandandi/.