Ballymena veterans on canal hike for '˜Soldiers' Charity'
Two of Ballymena's Afghanistan and Royal Irish veterans, Phillip Gillespie and Tam Dowie, joined forces with Captain Doug Beattie MC at the weekend to lead a fundraising hike along the Newry Canal for ABF The Soldiers' Charity.
The group of hikers braved the wet and windy Easter weather to trek the 7 miles from Portadown to Scarva.
Ballymena born ex Soldier Phillip, who lost a leg in Afghanistan, gave a morale boosting speech before the hike started.
Phillip is the ABF’s current Fundraiser of the Year in NI and will be tackling Kilimanjaro in the Summer to raise funds for the charity. A Gala Dinner in the town is also planned.