A REUNION with childhood friends who are planning to hike across Dartmoor for charity has sparked the imagination of a Brixham town councillor.

When she heard the group of ex-soldiers, now in their 60s, were planning to take part in next year's Ten Tors Expedition in aid of Help for Heroes and the Royal Signals Association, Cllr Jackie Stockman decided to help their fundraising efforts.

The former soldiers started their service lives at the Royal Signals Junior Leaders Regiment in Denbury, near Abbotskerswell, where Cllr Stockman lived as a young girl.

She remembers: "They were boy soldiers of the Royal Signals Association before joining the men's army.

"They were all young and handsome and I used to go to their social evenings as a young girl. It was part of my childhood."

Ten Tors was founded in 1960 by the Denbury-based Junior Leaders Regiment, known as the Denbury Boys.

The former Denbury Boys who are taking part in next year's 55-mile hike are all over 60 years old and include Bob Etherton who took part in the first one.

He said: "We are looking forward to the event and it will be quite a physical challenge but it will bring back a lot of pleasant memories.

"It will be great to get together as a team after all these years."

Cllr Stockman learned of their mission at a recent Denbury Boys reunion.

She said: "Most of them went into service in Ireland, Iraq and the Falklands.

"They more than most understand what the young men and women are facing on active service and the need for support both during and after service.

"They have a wonderful camaraderie even after all these years. They care about each other and support the families of those who die.

"When I heard about their plans for Ten Tors I wanted to help, especially as there are families in Brixham whose sons and daughters are fighting in Afghanistan."

Cllr Stockman has organised a party at the Berry Head Hotel to support her pals in their quest to raise money for the two charities.

The event at 8pm on November 13 will feature live music from new local band Hobson's Choice and a disco by DJ Steve J Talent.

Tickets are £6 each and available from Cllr Stockman on 01803 851255.

Since organising the gig, Cllr Stockman has discovered anything raised will be match funded by her former employers.

"I used to work for the Abbey and their charitable trust will match fund up to £700," she said.

"Everyone involved in the event have given their services free including the hotel, the band and the DJ, Lupton House Charitable Trust which provided rehearsal rooms, Samantha Haydock who designed the posters and tickets and AC Print which produced them.

"Several businesses in the town have already donated prizes for the draw and I would be grateful for any more if anyone wishes to give."