A FORMER paratrooper colonel will haul a military stretcher around the London Marathon with five comrades to highlight the plight of wounded heroes.

Lt Col Stuart Tootal left the army in 2007 because he was appalled with the way soliders were treated.

The former Commanding Officer of Colchester Garrison-based 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment set up the Afghanistan Trust.

The charity supports soldiers and their families who served with the Parachute Regiment.

Lt Col Tootal, 47, and his team will carry a 30lbs stretcher around the the 26.2-mile route on Sunday.

He said: “We are really keen to keep up the profile for the wounded troops.
“We think people are beginning to forget about it.”

Lt Col Tootal has roped in former comrades Captain Nick Humphreys, 33, Captain Jon Wear, 29, Lt Col Stuart McDonald, 40, Captain Martin Baber, 32 and John Mason, 47.

He said: “It is not going to be easy, but it is not easy for the guys who suffered injury through service. When it gets tough we will be thinking of those guys.”

To sponsor the team visit www.justgiving.com/marathon-stretcher