End of challenge on horizon for former soldier

John Dixon intends to walk some 26 miles from Portsmouth to Bognor Regis to raise money for today's servicemen and women.

The journey will complete the triple marathon which a heel injury prevented Mr Dixon from completing in April.

"I am definitely going to do the walk," he said. "I am confident about doing it."

He intends to use Saturday's (May 23) walk along the coast to add to the

1,600-1,700 he has so far raised for Help for Heroes with the aid of Eastergate schoolboy James Cotton.

The pair set out to walk three marathons in three days for the charity which helps injured service personnel.

But the soft area beneath the heel on Mr Dixon's left foot became infected and swollen after the second walk.

James, 15, who attends Chichester High School for Boys where Mr Dixon is a cover supervisor, did the final walk accompanied by his father.

Mr Dixon, 39, of Shearwater Drive, said he had rested the heel since the injury. He resumed training by walking home from the school.

"It took me a bit longer than it used to, but I would expect that after a five-week rest," he stated. "The heel hurt a bit but I put it in an icepack and I've had no trouble since."

He expects to start at about 8am on Saturday at Gunwharf Quays and visit Havant, Emsworth and Chichester before he reaches his destination, which is likely to be in Bognor town centre. Mr Dixon has set up the www.threemarathons.co.uk website for donations.

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