Man's fundraiser for brother killed in Afghanistan

A former Royal Marine whose brother was killed in Afghanistan is preparing for a challenge to help others who have lost loved ones in combat.

Liam Taylor's brother Scott was also serving in the Marines when he died in an explosion while on foot patrol in Sangin on 30 May 2010.

Liam, of Buxton, was operating as a commando in Afghanistan at the time and flew home with his brother's coffin.

Since his brother's death he has raised more than £50,000 for good causes and his latest fundraiser for Help for Heroes - to complete a marathon distance on a ski machine - is to support the charity's work with bereaved families.

Liam said: "Some of the families haven't got sons anymore or wives haven't got husbands anymore, so they need as much help as they can get."

It was Liam's troop sergeant who told him the news of his brother's death after he got off a helicopter while on an operation in the city of Kandahar.

"It is a bit of a blur. I have only got snapshot memories of this time," he added.

The two brothers were always close and Liam said he hoped Scott would have been proud of his fundraising efforts.

He added: "I could not have asked for a better brother.

"We were best friends. At weekends we spent all our time together."

Liam and Scott's mother, Jane, said: "I am really proud of him. It is nice that this challenge is his.

"During the time since we lost Scott, so many people have done things. We have done runs together but this feels like something special for him.

"It will help keep Scott's name alive."

The fundraiser will be held at New Bodies Gym in Buxton on Saturday 5 October.

Liam will use a SkiErg machine for the challenge, which is a piece of gym equipment that trains the arms, legs and core.

It was the idea of Liam's friend Jon Towell, who he trains with at the gym.

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