A PARISH councillor whose nephew died in Afghanistan is planning a challenge in his memory.

Mike Crankshaw, 49, of Puddletown, will paddle the length of the River Stour through two counties to raise money to buy a beach hut in Dorset for wounded comrades and bereaved families.

His nephew, Royal Marine Adam Brown, 25, was killed in an explosion on August 1, 2010, while on foot patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand province.

Mr Crankshaw, who will undertake the challenge with Adam’s younger brother James, 23, from Hampshire, will begin the 64-mile paddle on May 25 in a Canadian canoe.

Starting from Stourhead in Wiltshire, they will make their way to Dorset, arriving at the Black House at the entrance to Christchurch harbour on May 29.

They are hoping to raise enough money to help buy a beach hut on Mudeford spit, Christchurch, for use by injured Marines and bereaved families.

Adam spent family holidays on Mudeford spit and his ambition was to own a beach hut there.

Retired Royal Navy Petty Officer Mr Crankshaw, who now runs his own catering business, is no stranger to canoes as he is a coach at Stour Valley Canoe Club.

But he said the Stour would be a challenge.

He said: “The top part is a twisty and slow-moving river and there will be very little water in it because we’ve had little rain.

Mr Crankshaw added: “We are aiming to do 20 miles a day. It’s going to be quite a challenge – a Canadian canoe is not a lightweight piece of kit.

“But it is nothing compared to what the boys are going through in Afghanistan. Adam ended up paying the ultimate price.”

A month before he died, while home for two weeks’ rest and recuperation, Adam and his wife Amy spent time visiting wounded comrades from 40 Commando at Headley Court and Selly Oak Hospital.

Adam and Amy, who lives in Frimley in Surrey, had been married for just eight months when he lost his life.

Since his death, Adam’s family have raised £30,000 for the Royal Marine’s Charitable Trust Fund – £10,000 of which was raised at a charity auction in Puddletown.

Marine Brown was part of a reassurance patrol from 3 Troop, Alpha Company when he was killed by an improvised explosive device.

To donate to the cause visit adamshoofinghut.com