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Soldiers march in tribute to fallen heroes
TROOPS trudged through the snow in Durham yesterday, following the footsteps of an historic trek to London.
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About 100 members of the Coldstream Guards, comrades of fallen Ryhope soldier John Amer, made their way through the cathedral city as part of a gruelling 425-mile walk to the capital.
The guardsmen from Number Seven Company are braving the freezing weather to undertake the march that General George Monck and his 6,000-strong army took 350 years ago.
They have undertaken the mission to raise awareness of service personnel serving their country in Afghanistan and generate cash for the Army Benevolent Fund, which helps injured soldiers and their families.
Major Coleby said: "We have had a great response in Durham, as we came along the main high street there were people clapping and taking photos. Support like that really spurs the boys on."
The march is particularly poignant for the guardsmen as three of their regiment have been killed and more than 30 injured.
The dead include Sunderland-born Sgt Amer, 30, who died from wounds he suffered in a blast in the Babaji area of Helmand province on November 30.
A brilliant general, Monck led 6,000 men on foot and 2,000 on horses on a march to London where he seized control of the House of Commons and restored Charles II to power.
For every Baxterbear sold through the website www.baxterbear.com, 4 is donated to the Army Benevolent Fund.
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Weather for Sunderland
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
