THE mother of a Skipton soldier killed in Afghanistan is planning to tackle her own army style yomp to raise cash to help former servicemen and women.

Caroline Whitaker, whose son Gareth Thursby, a sergeant in the Yorkshire Regiment, died in September 2012, aged 29, is planning to take on the Cateran Yomp, a 54-mile cross country walking challenge in Scotland over 24 hours, from June 13.

The walk is in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund and Caroline and five other women have to raise £400 each so they are looking for sponsors.

"There are six of us doing it together, including a girl who lost her brother and another girl whose brother was injured," said Caroline.

"I'm raising money to help the ABF because they give long time support to any soldier injured in any way and also support to the families.

"After we lost Gareth, the ABF funded a course of counselling for me. So I guess you could say, if it wasn't for them I may not be here now."

Meanwhile, she has organised a coffee morning at Skipton Oddfellows Club on Saturday, February 28, also on behalf of the Army Benevolent Fund.

"We've had masses of gifts so we'll be holding a big raffle. We hope lots of people will support us," said Caroline.

Anyone wanting to support Caroline should email her at lotty944@live.co.uk

Gareth, a married father-of-two, died alongside Private Thomas Wroe in the south of Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, when they were shot by a man dressed as a local Afghan policeman who pretended to be injured so they would help him.

Gareth, a former pupil of South Craven School, Cross Hills, is survived by his wife, Louise, and two children, Joshua and Ruby.