CHURCH bells and cheers greeted a cavalcade of wounded soldiers as they trekked through the Cotswolds on an epic non-stop journey from Lands End to John O’Groats.

The Horses Help Heroes replica First World War Ambulance accompanied by a posse of outriders called in at Malmesbury and at Cirencester yesterday, where event rider Mark Todd and adventurer Bear Grylls were among the crowds of wellwishers encouraging them on their 1,000-mile route.

The welcome at Malmesbury was especially warm for organiser Jacks El Tawil who grew up in the town.

A Great Western Ambulance Service paramedic, she came up with the idea for the marathon after she was asked to provide extra training for the military and suddenly realised how many people were being injured in Afghanistan.

Horse mad since she was a child, she had the replica ambulance made for her horses Rosie and Molly to pull. More teams of horses were loaned and a group of soldiers and ex-military folk were recruited.

They set off from Lands End on Tuesday after a catalogue of minor disasters with the aim of raising £1 million for service charities including BLESMA.

Arriving in Malmesbury on Thursday for a brief stop before heading to Cirencester, they said they experienced the best reception yet.

"We have had about as much bad luck as you could ever want. We’ve had mechanical failures, the weather has been bad. On the way down to Lands End two of the lorries had blow outs. One of the horses went down and broke a partition.

"But against all that it has been amazing. People have taken the animals to their hearts.

"I think people are really starting to take it in," she said. "Fifty percent of this was awareness."

Army doctor Francis Atkinson, 29, also from Malmesbury, was aboard Patches, a skewbald mare lent for the challenge.

Shot in the arm while tending a wounded colleague on a patrol in Afghanistan, he rode wearing a special support on his right hand. His ambition to become a surgeon is on hold for a year until the damaged nerves recover.

Following the cavalcade were Jacks’ mum Shirley Burton and stepdad John.

They were overwhelmed by the response in Malmesbury, where mayor Steve Cox, MP James Gray, dozens of school children and members of the Athelstan Players in period costume were among the crowds at the Market Cross.

"It has been wonderful," said Shirley. "I thought the bells were a fantastic touch. It is a celebration and en encouragement."

The horseshelpheroes.org.uk has more information and a daily blog.