A soldier from Alsager is taking part in the Potters 'Arf marathon this weekend - carrying a stretcher! 

Rich Joynes from Alsager is one of 16 Mercian soldiers from South Cheshire and North Staffordshire taking part on Sunday (29th September).  

A stretcher, weighing 80kg, will be carried along the 13.1-mile route around the Potteries. 

The Potters 'Arf is a challenging 13.1-mile race held in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, featuring the famous "Heartbreak Hill" section and Rich has set up a JustGiving fundraising page for donations to be made here .   

This iconic event attracts runners from across the country who are drawn to the hilly course. 

Participants are rewarded with a unique medal and a city centre finish that energises even the weariest legs. 

The soldiers are doing the event to individually raise awareness and charity funds for the Mercian Benevolent Fund (which supports both serving and veterans of the Mercian Regiment Link ) and Stoke City Community Trust. 

They are also doing it to "expose the grit and professionalism of Mercian soldiers" and to showcase the Mercian regiment.  

 It's the second time that Warrant Officer Class 2, Rich Joynes from Alsager has taken part in the Potteries 'Arf marathon. He took part in the event two years ago in 2022.

 "We've been training for a few weeks and are looking forward to it," he said. "It's important to showcase our regiment which has so many local links." 

 One of the regiment's soldiers LSgt John Baskeyfield is a Victoria Cross winner from Stoke-on-Trent. 

His actions during Operation Market Garden in WW2 are fondly remembered, not only in the regiment but also in the local area. 

There is a statue erected at Festival Park in memory of the local hero. 

 A JustGiving page set up to raise money for the event has already reached £2,303 and donations can be made here

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