MORE than 100 Aldershot soldiers took a break from active duty in Afghanistan to push and pull a 33-tonne truck to raise money for charity.

Working in relay, three teams of 40 soldiers from the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (QOGLR) transported the heavy truck around a three-mile circuit at their base in Afghanistan.

Hoping to generate £2,500 in aid of the QOGLR Regimental Trust, there were many confused looks and double takes from the US, Estonian, Danish and even British service personnel as they saw a carnival precession of vehicles and men parading around the perimeter of Camp Bastion.

They completed the challenge of moving the 440 bhp, MAN EPLS (enhanced palletised loading system) truck decorated with flags, banners and illustrations on January 10, in record time.

Captain Giles Sugdon, adjutant of 10 QOGLR said: “When one team of 40 soldiers became too exhausted to continue, the next would take over with a burst of energy and the EPLS would accelerate forward. The fondness towards the vehicle, coupled with determination to support the Regimental Trust, meant the soldiers completed this challenge in only 40 minutes.

“That was well under the anticipated two hour mark.

“The sense of achievement after the event was very high, and the soldiers were very proud to have not disappointed all the supporters of the event and their charity.”

To donate visit the online fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/gurkha-truck-pull.