PRIVATE Patrick Farley has gone to great lengths to support his battalion — despite leaving the Army 30 years ago.

For the 50-year-old decided to run from Blackpool Tower to his home in Bolton Road, Bury, to raise money for soldiers returning from Afghanistan.

Mr Farley spent three years serving with the second battalion of the Parachute Regiment, seeing action in Northern Ireland.

He left the Army when he met his wife, Lesley, and is now a production worker for flooring manufacturer James Halstead in Whitefield.

But Mr Farley has never forgotten “2 Para” and attends reunions for ex-servicemen.

After finding out that the battalion had recently served in Helmand Province, Mr Farley decided to offer his support to the soldiers coming home.

“Once you’re in the Parachute Regiment, you’re in for life,” he said. “It’s an elite regiment and they are a good set of lads.

“The Army had a huge impact on my life. I wanted to give something back and support the soldiers who have come home with physical injuries, mental health problems and financial difficulties.”

Mr Farley organised the 54-mile sponsored run and was joined by workmate Mark Ramsden, aged 25, of Moss Shaw Way, Radcliffe. The pair set off from the tower at 6am and took eight-and-a-half hours to cover the distance home. They were accompanied by a support vehicle driven by another colleague, Steve Tansley.

Mr Farley, who has two children and a granddaughter, said: “I have always done a lot of running and kept myself fit. I ran long distances before the run to make sure I could make it all the way."

Mr Farley and Mr Ramsden raised more than £1,500 for the battalion. Anyone wanting to make a donation can send a cheque, made out to “2 Para Reunion Club”, to Rowley Collier, 63 Derby Lane, Derby, DE23 8UD.