DOZENS of soldiers from Colchester ran miles to raise money for a new statue.

About 36 soliders from 16 Air Assault Brigade shouldered 20kg packs and rifles to march on three treadmills for 24 hours.

Each soldier ran at least eight miles.

Altogether 324 miles were covered and the soldiers raised £1,500, which will be used to buy a 6ft statue of an eagle to stand outside the brigade’s headquarters at Merville Barracks, Colchester.

Sgt Major Chris Oakes, who is in charge of physical fitness and sport for the brigade, said: “I saw the statue in a salvage yard and thought it was a perfect match for the eagle on the brigade badge.

“I paid a deposit on it straight away, got approval for the idea of a statue and then came up with a way to raise the money.

“It has been a good challenge for everyone, particularly those who had to stay motivated in the middle of the night, and a good team building exercise for the headquarters.”

Each soldier who took part will have their name engraved on a plaque in recognition.

Technogym, an exercise equipment company, provided the treadmills for the event and Sgt Major Oakes thanked the company for its support.

The eagle on 16 Air Assault Brigade's badge was adopted from the Special Training Centre in Lochailot, Scotland, which trained paratroopers and commandos during the Second World War.