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A man has revealed how he has been inspired to 'push himself out of his comfort zone' since his brother's death.

Joe Berry, a paratrooper, lost his life during active service in Afghanistan in February this year.

His brother Mark Smith says it had been Joe's lifelong aim to become a paratrooper and that he knew he wanted to join the army from an early age.

"His ultimate goal was to help people," said Mark, from Lincoln.

"He'd always go out of his way to make people happy. He knew he wanted to join the army and he always wanted to be the best of the best, which is why he joined the paratroopers.

"He even recovered from pneumonia and passed all his qualifications despite having spent weeks in bed."

Joe sadly lost his life aged just 21.

"It was incredibly hard losing Joe," said Mark.

"He was so loving. He always wanted to help and he always wanted the best.

"He was incredibly into the outdoors, big into scouts and camping.

"One holiday we went on holiday to France, close to one of the local mountains and we went for a walk. He decided just to run up the mountain.

"He would always go on trips and climbing Snowdon with his granddad."

Mark says the death of his brother has inspired him to step out of his comfort zone and take on a mammoth challenge.

"I decided to take part in the Para's 10 event and a Tough Mudder, which was set to take place in September this year, for the charity Support Our Paras, said Mark.

"After Joe's death, they helped us so much and gave us so much support.

"I wanted to push myself and give something back."

The Para's 10 event is a ten mile endurance race based on the 10 miler from The Parachute Regiments P Company test week and requires completing the course in boots and carrying a 35lb pack.

"I go to the gym and I've done a couple of half marathons but never anything like this, said Mark.

"The Tough Mudder was cancelled but the Para's 10 is still scheduled for November so fingers crossed that goes ahead. If both are cancelled I'll still set myself a challenge for this year, so then I'll get a double whammy when I do the rescheduled events next year."

Mark's football team, the under 9s Lowlands Vulcans who he coaches, trekked four miles from Waddington to the LNER stadium in a heavy rucksack to raise money for the paratrooper charity.

If you would like to donate to Mark's fundraiser, you can do so here.

Originally posted here:
'He inspires me to push myself' - man speaks of legacy left by brother who died in Afghanistan - Lincolnshire Live