A former Royal Marine is braving storms to walk the length of Britain ‘backwards’ this weekend for charity.

Ric Coulson, 35, who was raised in Baildon, is completing a double challenge, named In Reverse, in two phases – having walked 1,664km backwards on a gym treadmill he will go from John O’Groats to Land’s End Ric, who went to Salts Grammar School, has registered with Guinness World Records and will be attempting the fastest journey from John O’Groats to Lands End backwards and walking an average 60kms a day for 25 days.

After his military service and the recent death of his mother Ann Coulson, he has chosen to raise funds and awareness for Macmillan Cancer Support and Help Our Wounded Royal Marines & Supporting Arms.

“It’s coming up to just over ten weeks since my mother passed away from her losing her fight with terminal cancer and throughout this time she received tremendous support from the Macmillan nurses who acted with true care, compassion and respect,” said Mr Coulson.

“I also personally served in the Royal Marines Commandos for more than 13 years and deployed on many operational tours.

“Tragically a number of close colleagues lost their lives, including my cousin Jordan Rossi.”

In May 2009 Sapper Rossi, 22, also of Baildon, became the first soldier from Bradford district to die in Afghanistan.

Speaking of his own experiences, Mr Coulson said: “I carried injured comrades on the battlefield and I have also suffered with PTSD as a result.

“Help Our Wounded raises much needed monies to all service personnel injured to so they can recover in a manner which allows them to gain back their independence from life-changing injuries with first-class facilities.”

Mr Coulson said he had decided to do the backwards walks to do something challenging and different which would help raise charity cash.

Having completed his gym task, he starts his wet and windy walk in Scotland tomorrow. More details are available at inreverse.co.uk/.