BRIAN WOOD could soon be adding the Freedom of the Parish of Whitehill to his list of honours.

The Military Cross holder from Whitehill is in line for this extra accolade after completing his Ultimate Sacrifice challenge to run 25 marathons in 25 days – a 635-mile trek which allowed him to run a mile for every soldier killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

His efforts raised more than £150,000 for the Walking With The Wounded charity, dwarfing his initial target of £20,000.

On November 24, the eve of Brian’s final marathon, Whitehill Town Council leader Cllr Andy Tree wrote to town clerk Lorraine Jeffs to propose the council conferred the honour.

Cllr Tree said: “It would make him a ‘Freeman’ of the Parish of Whitehill, which covers Whitehill & Bordon. A formal process must now be followed.

“It is a very rare distinction to be awarded and it was last conferred upon the REME collectively. It is purely honorific and is the highest formal recognition a parish or town council can give.

“The decision to award will need to be agreed by a formal vote at a special full council meeting convened for this purpose, with at least two-thirds voting in favour.

“Further details will follow from the town council in due course.”

Brian said: “I feel it was my duty to remember and represent those individuals who paid the ultimate sacrifice serving their country. I have suffered mentally and physically through this challenge, but it is nothing compared to the pain that families of fallen soldiers feel every single day.”