A team of six men are taking on a monumental challenge in memory of a World War Two hero.

Mike and Rich Heard with be retracing the steps of their grandfather, William “Bill” Sparks, who was one of the two survivors of Operation Frankton, the brave World War Two marines who undertook a night time canoe raid to covertly place limpet mines on enemy ships in Bordeaux.

Sadly only two of the ten marines survived the raid, one of whom was Marine Sparks.

Operation Frankton was said to have shortened World War Two by six months. These legends were later immortalised as the Cockleshell Heroes.

Mike and Rich will be joined by Matt Lardner, Alun Davies, Mike Hale and Juan Greyling in their challenge.

Echoing the World War Two raid, the team will be paddling – or battling – 90 miles up to the Gironde estuary into Bordeaux. They will then follow the survivors escape route, walking more than 100 miles along the ‘Frankton Trail’.

A support crew will be there to help them along the way, on land and at sea.

Bill’s grandsons have set an ambitious target, to raise £10,000 for Weldmar Hospicecare, who cared and comforted Bill’s son Michael – Mike and Rich’s father – in his final days.

The team have so far raised just over £2,000. They recently attended the Weldmar Summer Fete in efforts to raise more funds and awareness – a replica canoe was also at the fete to allow people to see firsthand what they will be travelling in.

The group thinks the challenge will take around nine days to complete. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the mission.

Rich said: “This is a colossal challenge for anyone, let alone everyday men who are not accustomed to such a hugely physical challenge.

“Any donations you kindly make towards the target, no matter how big or small, will be gratefully received and very much appreciated.”

The crew will set off on their challenge at the end of this month.

To find out more visit frankton75th.co.uk, and donate to the team at justgiving.com/fundraising/frankton75inthefootstepsofourgrandfather