A VETERAN who delivers the Gazette and Herald newspaper paper is close to raising over £5,000 for cadet charity The Ulysses Trust.
David Benest, of Manningford Abbots, retired from the Army Parachute Regiment in 2009 and in 2014 decided to take up the regular paper round.
Now 63, Mr Benest has delivered the papers for more than four years and donates every penny of his wages to the charity, which supports cadets. Combined with generous donations from the people he delivers to, Mr Benest’s donations are soon set to exceed £5,000.
Mr Benest said: “My paper round now encompasses Huish, Oare, West Stowell, Wilcot, Sharcott and the Manningfords, phew!
“Once people realise I am doing it for free, and getting up at 5.30am every day, they support what I am doing.
“The best part about the charity is that it allows cadets to go climbing mountains, sailing and exploring.”
The Ulysses Trust was founded 25 years ago by fellow veteran Phil Neame, who lives in Malmesbury. In 2016 the trust allowed 33,000 young cadets to take part in 2,600 adventure expeditions.
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