News

Oxford woman to run London Marathon for military charity that supports her mother

A woman from Oxford is currently training to compete in this year’s London Marathon for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Sue Cassettari, 55 and from Kidlington, has long been aware of the charity, which provides free lifelong support to veterans living with sight loss. Her mother, Angela, is vision-impaired, as is her friend, Peter. Angela has age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and glaucoma, meaning she has no sight in one eye and very, very limited sight in the other. Peter also has ARMD and almost no sight.

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Two World Record Attempts in the Bomb Suit

For many of us running a half marathon in shorts and a running top would not be easy. Imagine running it in full bomb suit, with helmet!

This is exactly what Capt Mark Gibbs, a trainee Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO) is doing at the Bath Half Marathon. Not only that he is attempting to beat the current World Record all in aid of Felix Fund – the bomb disposal charity.

Capt Gibbs “The suit weighs 55lbs and the helmet is an extra 10lbs and to get the World Record you need to wear both. The biggest problem we have had is the lack of heat dissipation in the suit. It gets rather hot in there.”

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Step up for our Armed Forces community this summer and join Walking With The Wounded for the Balmoral Challenge 2018

Walking With The Wounded is descending on Her Majesty The Queen’s stunning Balmoral Castle and Estate for the second year running this June. Take on the wee Cairn Chaser to explore the forests above the castle. If you’re after an orienteering adventure, how many checkpoints can you collect before time runs out in The Prince’s Stone? Or perhaps you’ll take on the Triple Crown, a 30km race back to the castle over 3 Munros, starting from a secret drop-off location. There’s a route for all abilities, and at the heart of it all, a brilliant cause – to support our ex-servicemen and women who have struggled with their transition from the Armed Forces into civilian life.

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Former soldier gets fit to take part in nine fundraising challenges in aid of veterans’ mental health

Having lost six stone, a former soldier from Derbyshire will now be taking on nine fundraising challenges in 12 months to raise money for Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.

When Paul Thompson left the Army in 2009, he stopped exercising and began drinking heavily. Six years later and weighing 19 stone, he set himself the challenge of taking part in his first duathlon in 2015 to motivate himself to get fit again.

Paul said: “I realised that something needed to change, so I stopped drinking and started training. I lost six stone in 2015 and set myself the challenge of taking part in a duathlon – it really helped me to have a goal to focus on.”

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Berkshire man to run London Marathon for military charity he works for

A man from Berkshire is currently training to compete in this year’s London Marathon for the beneficiaries of Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Charlie McAllister, 22 and from Windsor, has long hoped to complete the world-famous course and decided that 2018 would be the year he finally committed. He explains: “It’s always been on my bucket list. Everyone knows about the atmosphere, the significance and, of course, the immense challenge involved. I’m just excited to get out there and experience it firsthand”

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SAS: Who Dares Wins start to compete in SSAFA Midlands Soldier 30:30

TV Star and SAS veteran, Ollie Ollerton, is best known for his recent role in the popular show SAS: Who Dares Wins where he put contestants through a series of endurance tasks. He is now taking on a brand new personal challenge to support SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Ollie is a keen supporter of SSAFA and works closely with his local branch in particular, remembering that giving back to the military community is of vital importance.

On 17th February the challenge kicks off, consisting of a 30 mile or 30 km trek across the beautiful Uttoxeter countryside whilst wearing 30lb backpacks, teams of four will compete to cross the finishing line.

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Tyne and Wear man to take on epic 100km challenge for military charity

A man from Tyne and Wear is currently training to compete in a 100km walk in Yorkshire for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

James Hatton, 27 and from South Shields, was on the lookout for a new way to physically challenge himself when he came across the trek, which takes place from 23 – 24 June around the Dales. He explains: “You name it, I’ve done it! I’ve completed a 10,000ft freefall solo skydive, a bungee jump, several half marathons and even walked over hot coals!

“That’s the kind of person I am. I like to set myself new goals to achieve, new targets to smash and, hopefully, new causes to support!”

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Be one of our Worthing 10k ‘Fabulous Fifty’! 

Worthing-based charity, Care for Veterans, is looking for 50 fabulous people to join its Worthing 10k running team, and help raise vital funds for disabled ex-Service personnel.

The Worthing 10k is one of the largest and friendliest running events in the south east, welcoming runners of all abilities to the flat seafront course on Sunday 3 June.

Care for Veterans has charity places for this year’s race, and has already begun recruiting members for its ‘Fabulous Fifty’ team, who will be running to raise money for the disabled veterans who are cared for by the charity.

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Are you ready for the 24-hour life raft survival challenge?

It will be cold, it could get windy, and it will definitely be wet!

A Cornish sailing charity is calling out for intrepid individuals prepared to leave their home comforts and spend 24 hours in a life raft for charity.

On Friday May 18, a team of brave volunteers will climb into an inflatable life raft and be floated out into Falmouth Harbour to battle the wind and waves. The day-long challenge aims to raise funds for Turn to Starboard, a sailing charity supporting Armed Forces personnel affected by military operations.

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Afghanistan support

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