AN RAF aircraftman is keeping his feet firmly on the ground by running a marathon to help other servicemen and women.

AC Paul Rhodes has pledged to run a mile for every serving member of the British Armed forces to have been referred to the charity PTSD Resolution, for help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and every therapist that has helped them.

It means he will be aiming to run 435 miles through separate challenges and training.

The bid will raise funds for the charity and for the services’ organisation the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA.)

The senior aircraftman,  based with 90 Signals at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, has already run more than 180 miles in five different challenges and still has ten more events to go, including the Virgin London Marathon in April.

He said: “I strongly believe in supporting any serving or ex-serving members of any part of the armed forces and I hope that this challenge will go some way to helping those who suffer as a result of dedicating their life to the service of our country.”

He has so far raised more than £1,000 and hopes to smash his target of £3,000 by the end of August.

To support him, visit; www.milesforthemany.org.uk Anyone also wanting to raise money for the SSAFA Forces can visit; www.ssafa.org.uk/fundraising