Knees up, Albert! Northampton WWII veteran shows off commando spirit with squats on his balcony for charity

For Albert Allen, a spot of exercise on his balcony every night is nothing - the former Navy commando is already a Legion d'Honneur recipient who served on D-Day and spent months on active duty in Germany during the second world war.

So now, the Northampton veteran has pledged to smash through 26 squats a night on his balcony until April 26 for charity.

It comes as part of The 2.6 Challenge, a national effort to mark what would have been the 40th London Anniversary by exercising for charity.

Mr Allen told the Chronicle & Echo: "When I was training for the commandos I ran five miles every morning. They used to tell us 'keep going until you can't do any more, then start again'.

"I could do more squats if I wanted but my daughter says I have to stop at 26."

Mr Allen is taking on the challenge to keep him active in place of his normal daily walks during the lockdown.

"I suppose I'm doing them for me, and if someone else benefits from them then all the better," said Albert.

"I've had so many dates and appointments cancelled already. I was meant to go to Normandy in June and I had an invitation to Buckingham Palace in May.

"If doing this helps other people then I'll be pleased."

The 96-year-old veteran, who is legally blind, is doing his daily squats for Blind Veterans UK.

Within a day of it being launched, a fundraising page set up by his daughter Diane Walton raised £600.Diane, who has been filming Albert's efforts each night, said: "We're all so proud of him."

For more information, visit Albert's JustGiving Page.

Albert made headlines in the Chron in 2019, when he was surprised on a visit to County Hall by the Lord-Lieutenant David Laing, who had secretly been contacted to award the 96-year-old his long-overdue Legion d'Honneur medal.