Three Plymouth-based sailors are today running the length of mainland Britain

In doing so the trio hope to raise at least £10,000 for four worthy causes.

Marine engineer Warrant Officer 1 Rob ‘Squid’ Cozens who’s on the staff of the Royal Navy’s training organisation based in Devonport, FOST, and Leading Hand Duncan and Able Seaman Connor, who both serve in frigate HMS Sutherland, will have to average at least 40 miles every day (which is more than 1½ marathons).

The run has been over a year in the planning and began on Monday [MARCH 9] with the team leaving John O’Groats on the first leg – a slog of nearly 52 miles to Helmsdale, a village on the east coast of Scotland.

Supported by a back-up van throughout driven by Anthony ‘Penny’ Walsh, a former Royal Navy marine engineer, the team should arrive at Lands End on Sunday March 29.

“Running from John O’Groats to Lands End isn’t just a physical test, it’s a mental one,” said father-of-three Rob, for whom the run is a key part of his personal recovery from a dark period in his life.

He says all three runners have come through – or are dealing with – problems, so the epic run is a chance to pay back the charities which have helped them.

Benefitting from the runners are: mental health charities Man Down UK and Bigmoose, Hatty’s Fund which provides instruments for young musicians in Somerset and the Royal Navy’s principal good cause, the RNRMC.

You can follow the trio’s progress when they set off on Monday via Instagram: @Bobby_sailors_top_to_tail

And you can donate via www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/duncan-fraser-1