By Pam McClounie

Published at 13:21, Tuesday, 04 November 2008

TWO Carlisle friends who are taking part in a charity yomp across the Falklands are still appealing for funding to help them on their way.

Raring to go: Former commandos Chris Cooke, left, and Tony Hudson area ready to relive Falklands War

Chris Cooke and Tony Hudson met on an artillery ship taking them to the Falklands in 1982 following the Argentinean invasion, and have never lost touch.

Now they are going back to the island to repeat the yomp from Ajax Bay to Port Stanley which they first did under combat 26 years ago, in a bid to raise money for the Eden Valley Hospice and The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund.

Some of their friends were not so lucky, and as the former marines make their 74-mile journey across scrubland they will lay wreaths for those lost in the war.

Carlisle company Arco, with the support of Sprayway, has supplied the two men with jackets, fleeces and trousers.

Chris, 44, of Belle Vue, is now a United Utilities service engineer and Tony, of Scotby, an electrician. At the ages of just 17 and 18, they were called up to fight for their country.

It will be a moving experience for the pair to return to the place where many of their comrades met their deaths – 500 at Ajax Bay, where Chris and Tony plan to camp the first of five nights.

A problem with helicopters forced the men to carry all their equipment themselves.

This time they will still be carrying a heavy load – 70lb each – but without the machine gun, rifle and bullets they had to dodge on their last visit.

When the men return this winter they will see the actual trenches they helped to dig – trenches in which they slept in below freezing temperatures.

“Someone went over recently and said they’ve not been touched; it was like the war just ended a fortnight ago,” said Tony.

“Going back there is like all my Christmases have come at once.

“It is a bit scary, but it is something I wanted to do before I die.”

Chris and Tony will pay for the £1,500 flight themselves. To sponsor them, call Chris on 01228 529966 or 07765 231950.

PMcClounie@cngroup.co.uk

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk