Comrades of a fallen soldier – nicknamed The Bull because of his fearless nature – are to take part in the famous running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, to raise cash to support injured troops and families of soldiers killed in conflict.

Nine members of the 3rd Battalion, Yorkshire Regi-ment, are to take on the challenge in memory of their colleague, Sergeant Gareth Thursby, from Skipton.

To swell their collection in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund, his mum Caroline Whitaker and 18 other friends and family are to honour his sacrifice with their own venture. They are to tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks – Penyghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – on Saturday, June 22.

Sergeant Thursby was killed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, six days before his 30th birthday. He left a wife, Louise, and two children, Joshua and Ruby.

Mrs Whitaker said: “I think it’s very apt that Gareth’s friends are doing the bull run because he was known as the Bull in the regiment. It was his nature, he would dash in to help anyone and was a very supportive person.”