WHEN six-year-old Annabelle Asher saw a Union flag draped over a board at school bearing the name of Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, she wanted to discover more.

Lt Col Thorneloe was the highest-ranking British Army officer to be killed in action in more than 25 years when he died in Helmand Province in 2009 and his former school, Cothill House preparatory near Abingdon, wanted to pay its respects.

The officer’s loss inspired Annabelle – whose parents are teachers at the school – to start fundraising for his regiment, the Welsh Guards, by initially selling eggs.

Now the nine-year-old, who attends St Hugh’s School, Faringdon, will walk 102 miles of the Cotswold Way, from Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire, to Bath in Somerset.

She will set off on Monday, supported by her parents Adam Asher, 43, and Fiona Asher, 45.

Mrs Asher said: “Rupert is an old boy of the school and there are boards at the school featuring the names of every boy.

“When Rupert died, a Union Jack flag was placed over the boards and when Annabelle saw this she felt sad and wanted to do something.

“It’s quite a challenge but I’m hoping we will be able to complete the walk in about a week, although if it takes longer that doesn’t matter.

“She will walk the whole distance but we will be there for her and pitch the tent along the way.

“Annabelle has done a lot of walking before. She climbed up Snowdon when she was five, and Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis when she was six but she has never done anything like this before.”

Annabelle, who has already been pledged about £1,500 in sponsorship, said: “I’m really looking forward to doing my walk and I know I can make it to the end but I’m a bit nervous as it’s a long way.

“I’m really hoping it doesn’t rain a lot as my kit will get really wet. Maybe the Welsh Guards could send me over a bit of the sunshine they’ve got in Afghanistan.

“I am really grateful to all the people who have sponsored me and sent me so many messages of good luck and support.

“I hope I will make you all proud of me.”

Lt Col Thorneloe went to the school for five years from 1977. His mother Veronica, who lives in Kirtlington, near Kidlington with husband, retired Major John Thorneloe, has welcomed the fundraiser.

She added: “We’re delighted that Annabelle has chosen to support the Welsh Guards in this way and wish her very good luck.”

Lt Col Thorneloe, 39, a father-of-two, was travelling in an armoured vehicle when a bomb detonated underneath. Trooper Joshua Hammond, of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, also died in the blast.

Prince Charles, Colonel-in-Chief of the Welsh Guards, knew Lt Col Thorneloe and joined the tributes when he died.

Cothill House school is a boys’ preparatory school for 250 pupils aged eight to 13. When a pupil attends for at least a year, their name is added to the schoolboard in a tradition that dates back to the 1890s.

For more details or to make a donation, visit uk.virginmoney giving.com/AnnabelleAsher