A BONLLWYN soldier is set to test his mettle in a bid to raise funds in honour of his injured comrades.

Rob Jones, a 44-year-old Staff Sergeant with First the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, and pal Mal Richards, also 44, are training to take part in the Tenby South Wales Iron Man contest in September to help raise funds for the Help the Heroes servicemen’s charity.

Rob has spent 27 years in the army and knows only too well the great work carried out by Help for Heroes.

“I have seen with my own eyes what armed conflict does to people, both physically and mentally,” said the dad of two.

“This charity is helping to deliver much-needed care not only for the physically wounded but also to servicemen and women who have mental health issues because of what they have seen. The work that Help for Heroes does is nothing short of fantastic. This is just my way of giving something back.”

Dad-of-two Mal, a project manager, added: “It’s a big challenge and there is plenty of hard work ahead, but it will be worth it for such a great cause.”

The pair, who have been pals since schooldays, are currently halfway through their 30-week training programme and are currently training up to 15 hours a week on the streets of Ammanford.

The arduous endurance test will see the determined duo complete a 2.2-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle ride and then a full 26-mile marathon – all in less than 17 hours.

As part of their fundraising campaign, the friends have arranged Rob and Mal’s Ironman 2013 Charity Event at Ammanford’s Civic Centre on Saturday, June 22, from 7pm until midnight.

The night will include horse-racing, a raffle of fantastic prizes and an auction of some fabulous lots, including a signed Manchester United shirt, Welsh goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey’s signed gloves, signed pictures from the WRU and signed Inbetweeners memorabilia.

For more information call Rob on 07791 439376 or to donate visit justgiving.com / Robert-Jones903