Veteran, Jody Bragger, 37, from Sussex, is running 110 kilometres over two days on the mountainous island of Sao Miguel in the Azores to raise funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
Jody is currently working in the Ukraine and is training for the ultra-marathon in a war zone.
Jody is co-founder of Tellus, an environmental company whose business it is to protect Ukraine’s National Parks through the crisis of war. Jody needs to be in the country to work, so this is where he is doing his marathon training right now.
Jody said:
“I’m training around Dnipro and Kiev. It’s not very hilly, so not ideal preparation for the volcanic islands of the Azores, but having to wear personal protection equipment makes up for it.”
“I served in Afghanistan so am used to being in a war zone, but it’s a bit different when you are not part of the armed forces.”
The Azores ultra-marathon event on the 20th May, brings together veterans and currently serving members of the Household Division. The team has 25 runners, and includes veterans from their 20’s to 70’s, some of whom were shot or blown up on operations. They all share a willingness to push themselves to the limit by taking on this epic challenge to raise awareness and much needed funds for their fellow veterans in need.
Jody said:
“I left the army five years ago and not a month goes by without my being reminded of how difficult it can be for veterans. I have lots of friends coming forwards now, years after their service, being diagnosed with PTSD.
“Not just that though, injuries are common when you push your body as hard as soldiers do and SSAFA always steps in to help.”
Jody left the Coldstream Guards five years ago. In the interim he has run several ultra-marathons, so is no rookie as far as distance and scale is concerned. However, he has had to take a break due to health issues until recently.
Jody said:
“This is my first marathon back after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. The diagnosis really shook me and I feel lucky still to be able to run.
“If just one guy reads this and thinks, ‘I’m not old, but maybe I should have this checked out’ then I’ll be happy. I was at peak fitness, under 40, and it was just such a shock. I’m okay now, but I really want to say that if you think there might be something wrong, just go and get it checked out.”
Together, the team have already raised over £27,000 of their £30,000 target. If you would like to help them reach their fundraising target or to meet the rest of the team visit: https://www.justgiving.com/team/azores
