A BOVINGTON-based Royal Marine inspired by Forrest Gump will be taking part in a coast-to-coast run right across America to raise funds for injured comrades. Corporal Lloyd Fenner, 29, and five other runners will form a six-man team made up of British and American marines who will be attempting to complete the 3,530-mile run, as depicted in the 1994 film.

The fighting-fit team will complete the challenge, known as the Gumpathon, by running continuously for a 63-day period where each member will complete approximately 20 miles a day for eight weeks while raising cash for three services charities.

These are The Royal Marine Charitable Trust Fund and Help for Heroes in the UK and The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund in the US. The team hopes to raise £1m for each charity.

Colour Sergeant Damian Todd, of the Royal Marines, organised the fundraiser after a close friend of his, Mark Ormrod, was left with serious permanent disabilities following his time in Afghanistan.

He became the first triple amputee of the war in Afghanistan but he will be running alongside the team despite his injuries.

Cpl Fenner, who has been based at Bovington for two years, said: “During my tours in Afghanistan and Iraq I had several friends who received life threatening injuries and a few of them died.

“We are trying to raise as much as we can for injured servicemen and women and we will do our best not to let anyone down.”

He added: “We do try and keep ourselves fit and I have done up to a single marathon distance before but I haven’t ever done anything to this extreme.

“We pride ourselves in trying to push ourselves that little bit further so I have faith in all of us and believe we can do it.”

Cpl Fenner was also one of the three Bovington-based Royal Marines who were honoured for showing outstanding bravery in Afghanistan at the end of 2008.

The Armoured Support Company, including Cpl Fenner, won an award for the ‘True Grit Group’ at the prestigious Sun Military Awards.

Cpl Fenner and his team will begin the Gumpathon on September 10 and anyone wishing to sponsor him should visit thegumpathon.com