PARATROOPERS went the distance in memory of a colleague killed in Afghanistan, ahead of their return to the war-torn country.

Soldiers from Colchester’s 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, raced each other over two miles, carrying stretchers to raise money for JJ’s Memorial Fund.

The charity was founded to help injured paratroopers and their families in memory of Private Jeff Doherty, known as JJ, who was one of nine soldiers from 2 Para killed in Afghani-stan in 2008.

Kara Deakin, a friend of JJ and trustee of the charity, praised the paras’ performance at the event in Pte Doherty’s home town of Southam, Warwickshire.

She said: “The guys were marched off the coach for a service of remembrance at JJ’s graveside and then they picked up their stretchers straight away and ran two miles.

“It was a really hot day, but it didn’t seem to phase them and they had a lot of people cheering them.”

After the stretcher race, one of the events in the paras’ arduous P Company selection process, the troops joined locals for a concert at the Bull, the pub run by JJ’s parents, Jeff and Joyce Doherty.

Among acts performing were Coventry band Two Giraffes, who have recorded Pure Poetry, a World Cup song to raise money for the charity, and Kombat Breakers, who reached the final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2007.

A total of £4,251 was raised by the event.

Mrs Deakin said: “It was an amazing amount of money to collect from just one day and everyone had a great time too.”

l If you want to make a donation to the fund, visit the website www.jjsmemorialfund.org