FOUR years after the death of Captain James Philippson in Afghanistan, a charity Three Peaks Challenge in his memory is being held again.

James, 29, who lived in Bricket Wood, was the first British soldier to lose his life in the NATO deployment to Afghanistan in 2006 but his family and friends are determined that his memory will live on.

A trust in his name was set up in 2006 to help a range of charities and with a calendar of events to attract sponsorship. To date it has raised over �75,000 for charities James would have wished to support.

But this year, because of the dreadful and mounting losses in Afghanistan, the trustees and organisers have decided the money should go primarily to Help for Heroes, the charity which has captured the hearts and minds of the nation.

The Three Peaks Challenge is being held from next Thursday, June 10, to Saturday, June 12, and last year’s military team winners, 42 Cdo, who beat the 2008 winners 7 Para RHA – James’s regiment – by less than a minute will be battling to keep their title.

Richard Peck, who was the civilian team winner last year and third overall, will also be trying to retain his trophy but faces strong competition from other teams, including one headed up by James’s brother David.

As before, a military trophy award is up for grabs for the winning veterans’ team of over 35 year olds and this year a new trophy will be awarded for an all-female team entry composed of civilian and and military competitors.

Teams of four will compete over the three peaks, starting at Ben Nevis and finishing at Snowden, with the combined time over the three peaks defining the fastest team.

Entries close next Wednesday, June 9, and further information can be found on the website www.captainjim.org