A GROUP of armed services veterans and supporters will be kayaking around Poole Harbour for 24 hours as part of an endurance charity challenge.

David Wood, the military covenant advisor for charity Help 4 Homeless Veterans, has organised the fundraiser which will take place on Saturday, September 17 from around 10am. It has gained the support of Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, who actively supports the cause.

Equipment for the challenge is being provided by The Watersports Academy based on Banks Road.

David said that initially he was kayaking solo but has now four other people joining him to kayak through the day and night around Brownsea Island, Furzey Island and Green Island.

He said: “Originally I set the target for fundraising at £500 but we are already at over £1,000.

“The idea is that we are setting off from Sandbanks because of the number of people involved and then we will kayak non-stop for 24 hours together in Poole Harbour.”

David said that he has informed the RNLI and Poole Harbour Commissioners about the fundraiser.

“We also have a support vessel by my neighbour who has brought a new fishing boat and onboard that will be a professional swimmer.”

Talking about why he has organised the event, he said: “The biggest challenge I face is making the public aware of how many homeless veterans there are. A survey commissioned by the Royal British Legion and carried out by Shelter reported that there are 9,500 veterans on our streets.”

Keiron Franklin, 34, from Parkstone, who was in the light infantry and has served in Iraq, is set to be one of the event’s participants after Help 4 Homeless Veterans..

He said: “I was living in a bedsit, which didn’t have enough room for my two daughters to live with me, so I got in touch with David. He put me in touch with the right people at the council and I’m now living in a three-bedroom house. There is just no support out there for us. You get stuck in a rut and then somebody like David comes along and offers you the help and advice that you need.”

For more information, go to Justgiving.com/fundraising/david-wood72 or text HFHV 93 then the donation amount to 70070