PARALYSED war veteran Mark Harding will take on a 600-plus-mile international trek supporting a military charity. 

Cumbrian veteran Mark will be walking 656 miles from Carlisle to Arnhem in the Netherlands. 

Mark will raise money for Scotty's Little Soldiers, a charity supporting bereaved children whose parents served in the military. 

He also hopes to honour his great-grandfather and other veterans who were involved in Operation Market Garden, the military operation fought in the Netherlands between September 17 and September 25, 1944.

Mr Harding said: "What drives me is the deep respect I have for my great-grandfather, grandad, and all the courageous veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice during Operation Market Garden. 

"My great-grandfather tragically lost his life at the age of 33 when his ship was sunk by a U-boat. 

"In tackling this mission, I will embrace the same unwavering determination and spirit that defined the soldiers of Operation Market Garden. 

"Just like them, I have meticulously devised plans to fulfill this challenge, using my resolve to honour the tragically claimed lives of over 4,000 allied forces."

Mark was shot through the neck whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2010, which resulted in him being paralysed from the neck down. 

Despite being told that he would never walk again, Mark defied the odds and regained some movement. 

Last year he raised £36,000 for Scotty's Little Soldiers by walking from John O'Groats to Lands End. 

He will begin his next challenge on July 20 and hopes to arrive in Arnhem for the 80th anniversary on September 20. 

Nikki Scott, founder of Scotty's Little Soldiers, expresses her gratitude for Mark's dedication: "Mark's commitment to Scotty’s is incredible. He took on an inspiring challenge for Scotty’s last year when he walked from John O’Groats to Lands’ End, and, amazingly, he’s supporting Scotty’s again with another mammoth challenge.

"His incredible fundraising efforts help ensure that we can continue providing essential support to bereaved military children and young people.

"We are so grateful to Mark for his continued support and we wish him well as he makes his way to the Netherlands.”