Soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen from across the West are gearing up for a gruelling cross-channel mission, being pulled across the sea by kites.

Three teams of six kiters representing the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the Army and the RAF will set off from the Channel Island of Alderney and race the 70 nautical miles to Poole in Dorset. With surfboards at their feet and holding the strings of a kite, they will be blown towards England. The goal is to raise money for Help for Heroes and the event is scheduled to take place at some point this month – depending on the weather.