A former Royal Military Police Sergeant and close protection officer is powering towards the half way point of an epic 400 mile trek in full kit to commemorate the sacrifices of WW1 troops.
Darren Foote, a Gulf War veteran and ex-Diplomatic bodyguard, is walking from Mametz Wood in France, a key objective in the 1916 Battle of the Somme, to Ebbw Vale Rugby Club and raising funds for Blesma along the route.
The 59-year-old, who qualified as a teacher after 12 years’ service, got the inspiration for the sponsored walk after taking students to visit the
battle site where the 38th (Welsh) Division of the British Army was tasked with clearing a German stronghold.
“It had a huge impact on them and Mametz Wood is hugely significant in the Valleys where I live as 4,000 Welsh soldiers were injured or lost their lives in the battle,” says Darren, who is covering around 40 miles a day, with his former RMP close protection instructor Paul Christian acting as support driver.
“There was incredible bravery and sacrifice and I wanted to honour that in some way so I’m walking back home to the Valleys to commemorate that. It is tough and I’m walking through the pain barrier at the moment but we are getting great encouragement along the route and will complete the journey.”
The walk started from the Mametz Wood Memorial – a three metre high plinth topped by a Welsh red dragon tearing at barbed wire – on September 1, and will finish at Ebbw Vale Rugby Club.
Darren, from Brynmawr, Director of the Mountain Fuel sports nutrition company, who has now covered 185 miles, adds: “I want to pay tribute to those soldiers and also raise funds for Blesma for the amazing work it does for injured veterans. They went through a lot and continue to go through a lot so the more we can raise for Blesma, the more they can do for our veterans.’
To donate, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/paul-christien-2?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FR-heroes_FRPo_Overall-position_uk&mi_u=36404816&mi_ecmp=FR-heroes_FRPo_Overall-position_uk
