Afghanistan Trust News

Afghanistan Trust Summer Ball - Sponsorship Opportunities

2012-02-22T11:55:00.002Z

The Parachute Regiment Afghanistan Trust is a registered charity (1121647) providing welfare support and assistance to wounded paratroopers who have suffered life changing injuries as a result of serving in Afghanistan. The charity also supports their families and fills the gap in assistance that the state and other charities cannot fill.

On-going projects:
•   Donations from the Trust to assist in the creation of a memorial Garden and families area (2 PARA) - £3000.
•     A donation toward a Statuette in memory of Conrad Lewis (4 PARA) who was killed in action. Cost £2000.
•   Funding for Life Skills Courses through the RBLI. Cost £1450 per Soldier, possible total of 89 Soldiers to attend (Possible cost £129K) on going.
•   The setting up of a Trust for the children of those killed in action whilst serving in Afghanistan. This will involve annual payments into the Children Trust until they reach the age of 18 years. The monies will be used for further education. On going
•   We have teamed up with SkillForce to create job opportunities for Soldiers within the teaching world to become mentors/instructors within schools in the Essex area. On going
•   Further Funding of an upgraded mobility vehicle for a paralysed soldier – cost £11,000.
•   Financing life skills training to assist badly wounded soldier’s transition into civilian life upon discharge from the Army. Cost up to £12,000 per soldier.

We cater for scores of wounded; whose number increases after each operational tour the Parachute Regiment completes in Afghanistan. Consequently, the need to raise funds to help those paratroopers who have sacrificed much in the service of their country remains pressing.

On 18 July 2012, we are holding a fundraising ball at the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) in the City of London. This is the Afghanistan Trusts major fund raising event for 2012. A similar event at the HAC in 2011 raised £121,000 and was attended by City bankers, lawyers, accountants and consultants, amongst others.
This year’s event offers a significant sponsorship and corporate hospitality opportunity to companies wishing to support the Afghanistan Trust at a high profile event covered by the local and national media.

Examples of Sponsorship Packages:
A £5,000 sponsorship package includes:

   •   A stand facility at drinks reception on the HAC parade ground where it will be seen by 400 people.
   •   Company logos displayed on dinner menus and events programme.

Format of the Evening:

1800-1900 - Champagne drinks reception on HAC forecourt

1800 - Static displays of Para equipment, vehicles and troops

1845-1900 - Band of the Parachute Regiment beats the retreat

1900 - Guests are escorted to the dinning room by Para table hosts

1915 - Para colour parties march into the dinning room & post the Regimental Colours

1930 - Dinner (each table hosted by an officer/SNCO of the Regiment)

2100-2125 - Senior Representative speaking on recent experiences in Afghanistan

2130-2200 - Auction of major items by Mr Roger Dakin (a popular professional auctioneer)

Lots will include: tandem jumping with the Red Devils, bespoke executive stretch corporate training days with the one of the Para units (tailored to the needs of the winning bidder) and a ‘guns and ammo day’ on the ranges with one of the Regiment’s specialist units. A copy of the No1 Victoria Cross edition of the SAS War Diaries *

There will also two silent auctions running of quality sporting and holiday items and the other of high quality art pieces.

2200-0100 - Dancing to the late hours of the evening

0100 - Carriages

Please note that all proceeds from the evening will go direct to the Afghanistan Trust charity. * 50% of monies for the War Diaries will go to the SAS Association

Tables of 9 + host - £1850

Individual tickets - £185

Dress: Black tie and miniatures / Mess Kit

If you are interested in attending and/or sponsoring this event then please contact Ben Huxley at: ben.huxley@jpmorgan.com

Download a pdf file of this information here

3 PEAKS CHALLENGE - TROY CONNOR AND FRIENDS

2012-02-20T11:48:00.001Z

Once again again Troy has done yet another event for the Afghanistan Trust, he and several friends have completed the 3 Peaks.

They have raised a substantial £4,100 for the Trust. Troy is seen in this picture with Johnny Nelson, a former world champion boxer presenting the cheque on behalf of all those who helped raise the monies. Johnny is an avid supporter of the Trust.

Our thanks go out to everybody who helped including: Halifax Golf Club, Hebden Bridge Boxing Club and many others.

Rugby 4 Heroes

2012-02-14T11:59:00.003Z

Old Leamingtonians RFC presents the 4th Annual Rugby 4 Heroes Festival on the weekend of Friday 18th May through Sunday 20th May 2012. They are supporting the Afghanistan Trust as one of their good causes.

There is much to do and see including tournaments, a parachute display by The Parachute Regiment Red Devils, live music and much much more. Adult admission is £10 for the weekend and kids go free, so come along support The Afghanistan Trust and have a great weekend.

The Regiment have two teams taking part in the knockout competition.

www.rugbyforheroes.org

The Afghanistan Trust Newsletter Year End 2011

2011-12-19T14:56:00.001Z

Introduction
As 2011 closes, the charity has made some huge strides in fund raising and our ability to support paras wounded in Afghanistan, their families and the families of those who lost their lives there. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the key highlights of 2011, let you know about our plans for the future and also to say a very big thank you to all of you who have supported us over the last 12 months.

Fundraising
£583,000 has been raised this year, which is a 68 percent improvement on 2010. £250,000 has been dispersed in welfare grants, accounting for 86 percent of our expenditure and represents part of a total of nearly £1.3 million raised since the charity was set up in 2007. 

 Trust CEO
This success has been the result of the enormous support we have received and the increasing profile we enjoy. Much has been due to your hard work and that of the Afghanistan Trust's new CEO, Colin Smith. Colin joined us at the end of September after serving 42 years in the Parachute Regiment and leaving as a captain. Colin has already made s significant difference and was incredibly active on behalf of the charity before he came on board. He was the main driver in organising the second Afghan Trust charity dinner in the City at the HAC in July, which raised over £121,000. By popular demand, the HAC dinner will be taking place again next summer.   

Key Fund Raising Events
These have included:
Individuals completing sponsored tandem parachutes jumps with the Parachute Regiment's Red Devils freefall team; each jump has raised several thousand pounds.

Piers Cushing's (of Barclays) completion in the Marathon des Sables which raised a very impressive £15,000.

Pete Digby’s run in the London Marathon carrying an 80 lb washing machine on his back. With 2 other runners taking part in the Marathon, over £20,000 in sponsorship money was raised.

The Tetbury Woolsack Race in May, which was sponsored by Iain Bailey of the Ormand Hotel. The event and the dinner Iain hosted raised over £6,000.

A 50 mile march across the South Downs by members of 4 PARA (many of whom had recently returned from serving in Afghanistan) which raised over £9,000.

An incredibly successful Festival of Remembrance in November at St Dunstan's on the Strand organised by Hannah Sisk. Partnering with the St Dunstan's Charity, over £4,000 was raised.

The Talbooth Charity Dinner in Essex, which was arranged on the sole initiative of Mike Volf, raised a substantial £10,400

The families of those who have lost loved ones have also been enormously active in raising funds for the Afghanistan Trust. Mrs Bell, the Mother of Martin who won a George Medal serving in 2 PARA, raised £26,000. The Hendry family also raised over £26,000 in memory of Lewis Hendry, who was killed in action whilst serving with 3 PARA. Additionally, Tony Lewis, the Father of Conrad who lost his life winning a Mention in Dispatches serving with 3 PARA, raised £ 15,000. Their efforts have been all the more impressive and heartening given their tragic loss which occurred during the Regiment’s most recent tour of duty in 2010/2011.

Corporate Sponsorship
We have also attracted some significant corporate sponsors this year, which have included:
Barclays Wealth's who made a donation of £120,000.  Nissan's selection of the Afghanistan Trust as one of their 2 charities. Nissan have pledged to raise a significant sum and have already generously donated a Nissan car worth £32,000 which we will raffle to raise funds. As a result of their relationship with the Afghanistan Trust they have also arranged an 18 percent discount on the purchase of their cars with the MOD for all Service personnel.   Auditel have also pledged to raise funds for us and Deloitte participated in the Para 10 event to raise over £10,000 and hope do more for us next year.

Our Strategy
The above are just some of the examples of what can be achieved by individuals and organisations which want to help us help those who have suffered as a result of service in Afghanistan. The money will continue to be used to meet our strategy of providing welfare support to fill the gaps in State help to the wounded and those needs that cannot be met by other charities. In line with this strategy we have 3 priorities:   

Firstly, helping meet immediate welfare needs, such as providing financial support to the families during their bereavement, mobility support to the wounded and home improvements to those who have been badly injured.   

Secondly, helping to provide support to assist those paras who will be discharged from the Army as a result of their injuries by helping them make a successful transition to civilian life. This has already included funding life skills and employment assessment courses and training programmes. This will become a growing activity in the next 12 months; there are already approximately 100 soldiers in the Regiment that have been identified as being likely to need our support as they leave the Army.    

Thirdly, we plan to invest some of the capital we have raised in a legacy fund to cater for the longer-term needs of the wounded in the future. Our intent is to be build a fund worth in the region of plus of £2.5 million that will be transferred to the management of the Parachute Regiment when the campaign in Afghanistan ends in circa 2015. This will also include the setting up of individual education funds for the children who have lost their fathers serving in Afghanistan.   

2012
We have another exciting year ahead of us, with numerous events and activities planned to enable us to provide the support outlined above. Key events organised by the Trust include a repeat of the HAC fund raising dinner dance on 18th July, a charity boxing night in London against the Royal Marines on 18th September and participating in the PARA 10 cross country race in Yorkshire on 9th September; we are looking for 353 volunteers to participate, so please let us know if you are interested in gaining a place and raising sponsorship money for us. Details of these and other events will be posted on the website: www.afghanistantrust.org   

Much of the fund raising activity is also generated by individuals and organisations who have the imagination, initiative and get up and go to help us make a difference. Please keep on doing this, large or small, every effort helps the Trust to help those who have sacrificed so much for us.  My best wishes to you all. Have a good Christmas and thank you again for all you have done to support us.

Stuart Tootal
Colonel (Rtd) S J C Tootal DSO OBE 
Chairman The Parachute Regiment Afghanistan Trust

SANDOWN GOLF CLUB ARE SUPPORTING THE AFGHANISTAN TRUST

2011-12-06T17:14:00.000Z

Our thanks go to Eric Simmons the Captain of the Sandown Golf Club and all the members and friends who have kindly raised £300 for the Trust. They also raised £300 for Help the Hero’s. The Club has offered the use of facilities for our wounded Soldiers and Families in 2012.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER - WORDS AND MUSIC FOR REMEMBRANCE

2011-12-06T17:11:00.003Z

This was a most spectacular night held at St Dunstan-in-the-West on the 9th November 2011.

Our thanks go out to many people for their help making this event such a success. This was held to support both the Parachute Regiment Afghanistan Trust and St Dunstan’s Charity for the Blind.

We would like to thank Hannah Sisk who was the mainstay in organising and running the night with help from many including The Reverend William Guilliford of St Dunstan’s.

Special thanks go to Lt Col John Boyd the Commanding Officer of the 4th Battalion Parachute Regiment for providing their Colour Party and Officer’s and Soldiers whose help was vital to enhance and make the night.

The Afghanistan trust has collected a sum in the region of a magnificent £3000 this was collected through Gift Aid/Wristband/Tee Shirt sales and Donations, although this will change as we are still waiting for some payments to come. Our thanks go to everybody who attended and supported this outstanding event.

THE NAPTON GOLF SOCIETY ARE SUPPORTING THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT AFGHANISTAN TRUST

2011-12-06T17:08:00.007Z

The Captain of the Napton Golf Society Robert Wigley had pleasure in presenting the Afghanistan Trust with a Cheque for £4000. This was received at Headley Court by Colin Smith the CEO of the trust at a TARGET Dart event being held for our wounded.

The monies were collected and donated by friends and supporters of the Society.

The Napton Golf Society also held Captains Charity day on the 21st June 2011 which included raffles auction and any means to raise monies for the Trust. Our thanks go to everybody especially Robert for the support they have given to the trust.

Our son died on battlefield... now we've brought his best friend home Fallen Afghanistan hero's stray dog rescued

2011-12-01T12:15:00.001Z

As published in The Sun, 1 December 2011. Read the article and comments on The Sun's website here.

Fallen Afghanistan
hero's stray dog rescued

By NEIL SYSON

A FALLEN hero's family wept as the stray dog he adopted on the front line bounded into their arms yesterday — after her rescue from Afghanistan.

Tears of joy filled the eyes of squaddie Conrad Lewis's mum, dad and sister as they kept a promise they made to themselves after he was killed aged 22.
The brave Para and the stray mongrel he called "Peg" were inseparable — with the mutt refusing to leave the private's side even amid fierce gun battles with the Taliban.

Emotional dad Tony, 49, said as the family finally got to take Peg with them after six months in quarantine: "Conrad would be chuffed to bits to see his pal home.
"It was his final wish and we are delighted to have done this for him."
Conrad's mum Sandi, 48, beamed: "Peg is coming into a very loving family."

Loyal

Last Christmas — on his final visit to his family in Claverdon, Warwickshire — Conrad told how he planned to bring home loyal Peg, named after the Pegasus flying horse emblem of the Paras.

But just weeks after returning to Helmand he died alongside Private Lewis Hendry, 20 — the victim of a sniper.

His actions earned him a posthumous mention in dispatches for "unique bravery".
Fellow Paras — backed by Conrad's parents — hatched a daring plan to honour him by ensuring Peg was not doomed to resume life as a stray.

They got the Afghan army and animal charity Nowzad to hide the mutt in a bag and transport her by military helicopter and road to a dog shelter in Kabul.

Vets there gave her clearance to travel to Britain.

The Lewises forked out £4,000 for a commercial flight to bring her the 3,500 miles here and to put her in quarantine. A vet at Heathrow waived the usual £300 entry fee. Six months on, dad Tony said outside the Warwickshire kennels housing Peg: "It's been a long wait but worth it."

Peg raced to lick him, wife Sandi and daughter Siobhan — who along with Conrad's girlfriend Georgina Harris, 21, have spent the past six months visiting their new pet.

Tony said: "Conrad's spirit is very much here today in Peg. She is the link to everything he did out there."

Last night the mongrel had joined the family's nine-year-old bulldog Fergie — named after Man United boss Alex Ferguson.

Meanwhile, a fashion brand has been launched by the family in memory of their son — the 353rd UK soldier to die in Afghanistan.

Called "353" all profits go to Forces charities — with a target to raise £3.53million.
On sale as well as clothes, grooming products and jewellery is a range of toys and gifts inspired by Peg.

n.syson@the-sun.co.uk

Darts heroes humbled after meeting wounded soldiers

2011-11-28T21:26:00.004Z

DOUBLE takes far outnumbered double tops when the best pub team in the world walked in through the door.

World champion Adrian Lewis, former world No.1 Colin Lloyd, Lakeside top women’s seed Deta Hedman and Keith Deller, the qualifier who toppled Eric Bristow with a 138 checkout at the Lakeside 28 years ago, were all there.

The bouncers could play a bit, too. Mark ‘Special Brew’ Walsh and Alan ‘Saint’ Tabern, both in the world’s top 20, are handy.

Booted and suited, the manager was another familiar face. Rod Harrington was a world championship runner-up in his heyday, and now the Sky Sports pundit was in charge of the players on a goodwill trip to Headley Court, the hospital for seriously-wounded troops.

The players gave their time for free and their darts manufacturer, Target, supplied the arrows.

Master-of-ceremonies John McDonald and referee George Noble gave the proceedings an authentic air, right down to sporadic blasts of darts anthem Chase The Sun.

And if there was a winner, on the Target Arms’ first excursion into the shires to take on all-comers, it was the Afghan Trust, the Parachute Regiment’s charitable arm.

Lewis, who decorated his world-title triumph at Alexandra Palace last January with a perfect nine-dart leg in the opening set against Gary Anderson, was visibly moved.

“I was going to say that being world champion has not changed me,” said ‘Jackpot’ Lewis.

“I was going to say that I don’t feel any extra pressure when I play, and that I don’t have any more airs and graces.

“And I was going to say that apart from settling my tax bill, the only difference I’ve noticed in 2011 is that I’m announced as Adrian ‘Jackpot’ Lewis, PDC world champion, when I walk on stage.

“But anyone who has had a bad day at the office, or feels a bit down on their luck, should come here. If I’m ever feeling sorry for myself, I’ll just think of the lads here.

“When you make the kind of sacrifices they have had to make, playing darts for a living should never be a chore. Sometimes we complain about being on the road all the time, from tournaments to exhibitions and sponsors’ appearances, but really it’s a doddle.

“The long, hard road is what these lads have to follow – months of rehab from life-changing injuries.

“It’s very humbling, especially for someone like me who gave serious thought to a career in the military when I was 17 years old.

“So when people talk to me about pressure on the oche, it’s all relative, isn’t it?

“Sure, there’s pressure when you have one dart at double top when there’s a world championship to be won, but real pressure is what our troops are doing in Afghanistan.”

Lewis is now approaching his first £1million in career earnings since he joined the Professional Darts Corporation circus. Not bad for a lad of 26 whose promising football career as a goalkeeper was cut short by a serious hand injury.

He said: “People say I’ve not won anything since Ally Pally, but I’ve actually had my most consistent year.

“I reached the final of the Premier League and the Grand Slam semis, so my game must be in decent order and I can’t be doing too much wrong.

“At one point in Wolverhampton the other night, Phil [Taylor] was beating me 7-4 and I had an average of nearly 110. Sometimes you just have to take your hat off to the man, he’s a legend.

“But I’d like to win another major soon because you can’t beat the feeling of banking a winner’s cheque.”

As for the best pub team in the world... Target managing director Garry Plummer thinks he has already signed it, but in 2012 he plans to launch a nationwide hunt for licensed premises who think they can do better.

“Imagine us nipping down to the Rose and Crown or the Red Lion in the middle of nowhere on a Tuesday night,” said Lewis. “And seeing the look on the local darts team’s faces when we walk in.”

As published in The Mirror read it here

Join up with The Best Pub Team In The World Campaign on Facebook

http://www.target-darts.co.uk

Raynes Conservative Club have raised a fantastic £1,683

2011-11-14T12:49:00.002Z

A belated entry the Raynes Conservative Club have raised a fantastic £1,683 for the Trust Well done Ron Field the Chairman and Kathy who has done a lot of the leg work and thanks to all the Club Members for their support.

Shell Oil Rig "Gannet A Platform" raises £500

2011-11-14T12:48:00.002Z

A special thanks go to the Guys who work on the Shell Oil Rig "Gannet A Platform" for raising £500 a great effort and very much appreciated. "Be safe"

DONATION OF MONIES FROM JANET & DEREK PALMER

2011-11-14T12:33:00.002Z

Our thanks go out to Janet and Derek for their efforts in raising £5,000 for the Afghanistan Trust. This will be used to great benefit to both our Soldiers and their families. The Trust would also like to wish you success in your attempt to break the 1,000cc land speed record. We will follow your progress with great interest.

DONATION OF MONIES FROM MRS TINA DOWDALL

2011-11-14T12:32:00.002Z

Our condolences go to Tina for the loss of her Husband John who sadly passed away recently. I know this is a time of great sadness for you, but I would like to thank you for asking for the donations of £68.29 made at the service to be given to the Afghan Trust.

I would like to say this is a great gesture at such a sad time and I can assure you that this will go to support both our Wounded Soldiers and their families. Once again many thanks and do take care.

MONIES RAISED BY PARK INN PALACE HOTEL SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

2011-11-14T12:31:00.002Z

The Afghanistan Trust would like to thank Mr Roderick Smith and all his staff at the Park Inn Palace hotel for their efforts in raising £2,100.55. This took the form of a Pier-a-thon which involved Roderick and his staff running up and down the pier in Southend, which went on for several hours. This without doubt was a tremendous effort. He was assisted by Lt James Ramsey 2 PARA. The monies raised will be put to good use in support for our Soldiers and their families.

Red Devils Parachute Display raises over £2,000

2011-11-14T12:30:00.000Z

Miguel and Pla DeMatos of The Swan Pub in Grendon Underwood present a cheque for £2,070 to Colin Smith CEO of the Parachute Regiment Afghanistan Trust along with serving Para and Red Devil Corporal Darren "Smudge” Smith. The trust helps support soldiers and their families who have been wounded or killed as a consequence.

The pub sponsored a Red Devils parachute display jump into the village followed by a fund raising evening at the pub which was generously supported by local businesses and residents of the local villages. More on www.theswanpub.org.uk

THE AFGHANISTAN TRUST HOME COMING BALL 7 JULY 2011

2011-10-31T18:14:00.000Z

Afghanistan Trust - Welcome Home Ball, 7th July 2011

2011-10-31T18:12:00.002Z

'Strongest Man' competition amongst the prisoners at HMP Bullingdon.

2011-08-15T10:22:00.000+01:00

It was an all day event and ten prisoners took part with others spectating and supporting. It was an excellent day with friendly competition throughout. They had deadlifts, flipping tractor tyres from one point to another, pull massive weight with harness on for 2 minutes or a certain distance (whichever came first) bench press and other events. All in all they have raised over £500. They were all proud to say they were doing it for 'the soldiers' and the Afghan Trust.

Land End to John O Groats Bike Ride

2011-08-15T10:21:00.000+01:00

Members of PARA Company at Catterick have had a team that have been biking from Lands End to John O Groats, Maj Stuart Morgan, Denis Buff, Gav Froley, Chris Mansell have been part of the team, with Phil Stout running the support team. They have been on the road for 7 days and finished on Friday 12th Aug. Lots of people have donated so far.

3 Para Charity Day - Monday 25th July

2011-07-20T10:14:00.002+01:00

Like we have done since 2008, we will be hosting a Charity Day with the 3 Para on Monday 25th July. We are aiming for £10,000 on the day which will be split between the Afghanistan Trust and the Help for Heroes charities.

With the Regiment just returning from their 3rd Tour of Duty in Afghanistan we have decided to get all the Members involved and raise as much as we could. The feedback and support so far has been overwhelming and we are confident that the total reached will be well over our target. We have had donations from prestigious Golf Clubs like Wentworth, Brocket Hall, Ashridge, the Grove, Members have given their Villas or apartments in the UK and abroad for holidays, we even have a donation from the Ferrari dealership and Tottenham Hotspurs!

George Parsons and “Cookie” are the organisers on the 3 Para side. If some of the injured soldiers wanted to join us on the day, this would be no problem at all. But we would need to know of course so that we can plan for lunch.

Also, if you wanted to come on the day and see the whole day come together, you would be most welcome.

‘Trash for Treasure’ sale raises £900

2011-07-14T11:37:00.005+01:00

Sam Walton (Cosmopolitan student homes at Stratford upon Avon College) raises £900 by holding the ‘Trash for Treasure’ sale over the past couple of weeks. This was done by taking donations for items left behind by many of the students, most of which are international students who leave to return home.

Robin Reynolds - Bike Ride for Trust

2011-07-14T11:37:00.002+01:00

Robin Reynolds (Barclays Wealth) - I joined a cycle ride (with 17 other pals) last weekend, going from Munich to Prague (circa 290 miles in 4 days) and I've been collecting sponsorship these last couple of weeks for the Trust. Including the matching, gift aid and donations I'm up to about £2,200.

Members of Barclays - Jump for the Trust

2011-07-14T11:36:00.003+01:00

2 Members of Barclays Jump with Red Devils and will raise nearly £5K

Kathryn Smith Bike Ride

2011-07-14T11:36:00.000+01:00

I would just like to let you know about a bike ride myself and 4 friends are doing to raise funds for the Afghanistan Trust in memory of Private Martin Bell from 2 para who was killed on 25th January 2011 by an IED while trying to save the life of his friend Scott Meenagh. We are cycling from Martins home in Bradford to his base in Colchester. This is 220miles. We will be setting off on 29th July and cycling over 3 days. We were close friends of Martin and hope to raise as much as possible for your charity.

Alan Davis Raises Money In Memory of Pte Conrad Lewis

2011-07-05T09:12:00.002+01:00

On Sunday 8th May 2011 Alan ran the Rotary Shakespeare half-marathon in Stratford-upon-Avon in which I raised £623.00 in Memory of Pte Conrad Lewis of the Parachute Regiment who was killed on 9th Feb, 2011 in Afghanistan. Lots of events have taken place in his Memory. Family and Friends miss him very much. It was a privilege to run for him and your charity.

The Ivy Raises Money for the Trust

2011-07-01T08:52:00.002+01:00

The Ivy raised a total of £415.00 for the Trust.

1 PARA / Deloitte Team – PARAs 10

2011-07-01T08:51:00.003+01:00

Jon Wear has organised a team with Deloitte to run the PARAs 10 for the Trust. A four man team, Jon and 3 members from Deloitte.

Elaine Bell raises 10K in Memory of Private Martin Bell

2011-07-01T08:50:00.003+01:00

Elaine Bell and friends have raised over 10K for the Trust in memory of Pte Martin Bell who was KIA 25 Jan 2011.

Canvey Island Raises Money

2011-07-01T08:50:00.000+01:00

Canvey Island town council held its armed forces day last Saturday and what a fantastic day it was.

They held a night time dance with the drifters being top spot.
As the town council are not allowed to raise funds for charities, I as borough councillor held a raffle under the flag of the Canvey Island Independent Party to raise funds for the Afghanistan Trust.

We had a fantastic night, I really enjoyed myself going round mugging people for their money for this great cause. We held a raffle, then sold their entry tickets back for £1:00 for a one off draw of £100:00, also took the bucket round for all their loose change at the end of the night.

We are a small town but our residents are always behind our armed forces, and look forward to Armed Forces day every year.

Fashion Show - Norwich Airport

2011-06-13T11:43:00.002+01:00

The Charity Fashion Show was held at The Holiday Inn, Norwich Airport on Tuesday, 7th June

It has raised £7000 for Help for Heroes and over £2300 for the trust from this event and two other previous events. The event was a complete sell out and the packed audience were treated to a fun and entertaining evening. The moment the soldiers from 2 PARA entered the room the audience rose to their feet to applaud and welcome them home from their recent tour of duty in Afghanistan. The lads were joined on the catwalk by the girls to model a selection of clothes provided by Jarrold – and they all looked amazing. Evening wear, provided by Diva in Wymondham was also shown while the models hair was styled by The Gallery Haircutters and make-up by MAC in Jarrold.

The evening culminated in the audience, once again on their feet, joining in with a rendition of YMCA! A fantastic evening was had by all.

ROMFORD GOLF CLUB - RAISES £10,305

2011-06-06T10:16:00.000+01:00

The Board and Members of Romford Golf Club presented a cheque for £10,305 to the Afghan Trust at their Club house on Heath Drive, Romford on Sunday 5th June. The Captain of the Club introduced the Trust then Mr Ian Seymour (Vice Captain) spoke about the event, followed by Mr Terry Bell who was the idea behind the event. As well as the kind donations from all involved, one generous individual donated £5000 of the total. The Club had raised the money during of a period of time from members and also local business and was made achievable by the great effort of the Club Board, in which many individuals gave up their spare time. The Club now hopes to hold a PARA Challenge Cup at the club as a yearly event.

Fundraising Update...

2011-06-06T10:13:00.002+01:00

Mrs Olwyn Owens raises £1080 in N Wales (Flintshire) Event.

Fiona Sherlock raises £2000 at Royal British Legion Event in Longniddry, East Lothian, Scotland.

Naval Club raises £716.

Fundraising Lunch Raises over £1300

2011-05-18T21:58:00.000+01:00

A lunch organised by Judy Bailey on Wednesday, 18th May nearly 60 people enjoyed a delicious meal at the Beechwood Hotel, Cromer Road, North Walsham. The lunch, generously donated by Don & Lindsay, owners of the hotel, raised over £1300 for the Afghanistan Trust.

After the meal Colonel Stuart Tootal, founder of the Afghanistan Trust, gave a very informative and thought provoking talk about his time in Afghanistan and also the ways in which the money raised for the charity is spent.

It was agreed by all who attended we are very fortunate to have young men of this high calibre serving our country.

Pictured L to R - Andrew Bailey, Stuart Tootal, Judy Bailey and Don Birch (Beechwood
Hotel)

Cirlce Line Walk: X-ray team walk the 'Tube' in memory of Pte Martin Bell.

2011-05-18T11:05:00.000+01:00

At 8.45am on Saturday 7th May as people all over the UK were enjoying a well-earned lie in, a team of 15 radiographers from a central london NHS Trust were preparing under foreboding dark clouds to walk the Circle Line.

Shoelaces were tied, muscles stretched, coffees drunk and raincoats donned (the torrential downpour had begun) - the team were ready!

Over the course of the day the sun came out and spirits rose. Fourteen miles, 27 stations and a few pairs of sore feet later the end was in sight. It can be safely said everyone was looking forward to a refreshing drink and a sit down. Strangely enough though the Circle Line was down that day so there was no option but to keep on walking. The team successively completed the challenge in six and half hours and raised over £2,400 for
The Parachute Regiment Afghanistan Trust.

Thank you to all those who have already sponsored the team and if you would like to sponsor us go to the JustGiving page; http://www.justgiving.com/CircleLineWalk-ParachuteRegAfghanTrust

Charity Bike Ride

2011-05-12T12:17:00.000+01:00

New Years Eve and you send all of your well meaning texts in your contacts folder on the mobile, you promise to meet in the New Year and tell them, “You’re my best pal you are”. And think nothing of it. You get a reply that says my son is in Afghanistan with the Parachute Regiment, being the former serviceman I am you text back to tell him to keep his head down I will see him in the New Year and have a pint with him and hit send. Then you get that weird feeling that you wish you hadn’t send that text.

Track back four years earlier to the Rugby festival and a good friend says her son Pat would like to come up and play for Bullingdon. He was 17 and playing first team for Winchester. The old the bold and the stupid wandered around the park lying on people and making the odd run towards the try line or the bar! All were completely out played by this young lad who could, by the way, hold his own off the field and in the bar prior to joining the Paras.

Back to the present day and I get a text back shortly after New Year’s Day saying Pat had been blown up in Afghanistan and lost the lower part of his leg. Stunned, angry and full of sorrow thinking, “What can I do?” Like all good former athletes !! and reformed PEI‘s you encourage as many unwitting friends to raise some much needed funds to help Pat adjust to life after the IED attack. I spoke to his Mum Di, and asked what they needed and how we could help. In true forces Mum fashion she asked us to raise money for the Afghanistan Trust that had helped Pat in the initial phases after the explosion and not for them. (I had other plans!)

Then I had the idea that we would cycle from Bullingdon to the Festival of Rugby in Coventry where Pat had acquitted himself ably a few years before. I sent out the e-mail (in accordance with the IT policy!!!!) and expected a couple of reply’s . Within a day I had over 25 responses pledging support for my stupid idea.

Game on! Now how do you organise a ride from 186 miles away from the start line?? You rely on the people you used to walk the landings with that’s how. The salt of the earth colleagues pitched in with support vehicles route surveys, the Governor offered the use of the facilities at Bullingdon to start the ride from and the High Sheriff of Oxford offered to start the ride off in all of her finery along with Pat on his crutches.

All too quickly April 27th arrived (too quickly for me my bike was in the shed until two days before the ride!) I pulled round the corner of the mess to see lycra clad athletes preparing bikes and the buzz was electric, nervous chatter last minute checks and people casting doubt on my parentage for bullying them into this stupid event! Fully briefed on safety and the need to wear helmets and a compulsory smile for the whole ride we set off into the Oxfordshire countryside. The Oxfordshire countryside soon gave way to the Buckinghamshire countryside, as per my usual stance I sit at the back on these events with the tail end Charlie. On this particular occasion I was informed that his newly acquired bike computer was showing 21 miles and he was feeling good! First dilemma, do you tell him he needs to calibrate the computer to the bike? Secondly do you tell him we have only travelled 6 miles? This is gonna be a longun!

All too soon we arrived in Brackley at the war memorial to regroup, after a brief service carried out by the right Reverend Cowell , the locals were fleeced of many a penny by the support staff then we moved on towards the Warwickshire countryside. I have to say at this point that the route was absolutely stunning mostly flat and past so many houses that would cost more than a small lottery win or the price of another Invision patch! It was awesome many thanks to Kat, Tim and Jenny for the miles they put in sorting the route out for us. Lunch was organised by myself at a small pub about 15 miles short of the festival a plush affair reminiscent of the food to be served in two days time at Will and Kate’s bash, sausage rolls, scotch eggs, pasties, Haribo sweets, crisps and for the racing snakes - bananas!!!!. Refuelled and rehydrated we pushed on for the last leg. We stopped about half mile short of the festival, regrouped and called ahead to line them up at the bar.

What was the hardest part of the ride? The aching muscles in my face from all the laughter on the way. May I take this opportunity to say a massive thanks to all the riders who took part, Mr Lattimore for the use of the facilities and the supporters, drivers, vehicles, the people who pulled out all stops to help the ride go get off the ground. Also to renta crowd who followed us the whole route directing traffic and pointing the unknowing and the unwilling in the right direction. My I also take this opportunity to thank the Prison Service Charity Fund for their significant contribution to our ride funds if you are not already a member please see your Rep today this is for great causes and they need your support. And thanks to Bob Davies for allowing us to cycle to the Festival you are a star amongst men Bob.

“God is Airborne” He failed the Commando Course Tee shirts £25

Bike Computer that reads in inches! £20

Repair to Rogers van that Chris crashed in the festival car park £120

Funds raised by the riders & supporters £8199

Experience of the ride PRICELESS!!!!

Nothing can really prepare you for turning into the festival and seeing the route lined with people applauding the “Peloton” as we crossed the line some 50.2 miles (by my bike computer anyway!) later. To see Pat and Di at the end applauding us in was a moment for the sun glasses arhum! Pats step dad Simon (a former Para & landing cruiser opo from Parkhurst) carried Pats bergan that he was wearing on the day of the attack the whole route, then erected the Para Flag for the ride into the festival not a bad thought for a Para but Pat won the tattoo competition in the bar fair play mate!

Inter unit / regiment rivalries put aside in the bar it was a fantastic day, just as I planned (although some of you will think differently of my planning!) it was hard but achievable. The support was immense the generosity of the crowd at the festival was superb and the spirit of the ride just the best, please feel proud for what you have achieved for a very brave young man. It is good to know that no matter what badge you wear the colour of your Beret or the size of you frame when the chips are down we are one unit.

I now unashamedly use my strap line to all of our readers if you would like to add to our total please contact me at HMP Dartmoor;

They gave for you. Please give for them.

For the lucky ones that made it home we will look after you. For absent friends:

They shall not grow old as we grow old

Age shall not weary them

Nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun

And in the morning

We shall remember them

Paul Cowell.

Cpl Shaun Stock Raises £1600 for Afghan Trust - Nepal Trek

2011-05-10T19:18:00.003+01:00

Comments from Shaun: The trek was with out a doubt the hardest thing I have done yet, but very rewarding to complete it. I cant say I will be going back to Nepal, not after the epic I have just been through. I will have have to think of some other challenge next.

I managed to raise over £1,600.00 for the Afghanistan Trust, so its been a good end to a hard time, but all well worth it.

Scott Coulter Support and Fund raising for AT

2011-05-10T19:17:00.002+01:00

Dear Sirs,

Firstly I would like to extend my deepest thanks to your wonderful charity, for the continued excellent work you do to provide help and support for our brave Paras.

I first came across your charity in most unfortunate circumstances. A close friend of mine, Scott Meenagh, was a young Para serving in Afghanistan during the period of late 2010/ Early 2011. Tragically, in late January 2011 Scott was injured in a roadside bomb explosion that claimed the life of his comrade, Martin Bell.

Scott was badly injured in the blast; losing both his legs just above the knee and suffering sever injuries to his stomach. Thankfully, he is recovering well and spent a most enjoyable weekend with his mates last week after leaving hospital for the first time.

The response from his friends and our local area has been phenomenal. So far, we have organised race nights, quiz nights, danceathons and sponsored football/rugby matches to raise funds for the family in this difficult time. At last count, almost £9,000 had been raised.

While this has made a huge difference to Scott and his family’s life, I would like to do something for the Afghanistan Trust to show my support for the whole Parachute regiment.

I will be running the Glasgow men’s 10k on June 19th in honour of the charity. My employers at Barclays Wealth have already agreed to match whatever sponsor money I raise, which I have already began collecting.

Scott Co

Scott Coulter

4 PARA South Downs March - Sat 21 May

2011-04-27T09:59:00.000+01:00

On Saturday 21st May 4 PARA will embark on an epic march (Tab) along the South Downs. All our Companies from around the UK will be taking part (Glasgow,Edinburgh, London, Leeds, Newcastle and St Helens). The lads will march with full kit and aim to finish the march in around 12 hours. Full logistical support will be supplied by our team, but it is your support we are after.

Your kind donations will go to the Afghanistan Trust which raises money to support Parachute Regiment soldiers who have been injured whilst serving on Operations.

Many Parachute Regiment soldiers and their families are extremely grateful for the continuing support of the Afghanistan Trust and your donations will ensure that additional financial support will still be available.

JustGiving - the easiest way to fundraise and donate to charity... http://www.justgiving.com/Tim-Fleming

Black Country Half Marathon - Sgt Scotty Evans

2011-04-27T09:53:00.000+01:00

Sgt Scotty Evans (3 PARA) Tabing the Birmingham Black Country Half Marathon July 2 - 2011.

Sgt Scotty Evans is currently a serving member of 3 PARA posted down at Pirbright at HDPRCC, he is looking into Tabing the Black Country Half Marathon for the Afghan Trust.

A really worthy cause, so please donate at http://www.justgiving.com/SCOTTYEVANS, every penny helps!!

Emma raises over £1500 running the marathon

2011-04-27T09:50:00.000+01:00

On Sunday the 17th April 2011, Emma Round - Turner crossed the finish line of the Virgin London Marathon and in doing so, raised over £1500 for The Parachute Regiment Afghanistan Trust. Emma's motivation for completing this challenge was enduring 6 months without her fiance, Captain Ed Withey of The Third Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, who was deployed on operations in Afghanistan. "My motivation came from wanting to give something back to all the guys who have been doing such a great job in 1,2 and 3 PARA in Afghanistan. I felt like I wanted to try to complete something challenging too, whilst raising money for those who have suffered injuries and for the families of those who did not make it back."

Emma has spent the the last 6 months pounding the pavements around her home in London, although she suffered a serious ankle injury in the final month before the race. "I had to lay of training all together and take a lot of painkillers on the day, so I am really pleased that I managed to get through it and get a reasonable time. The support from my friends and family was unbelievable, but what really kept me going was the knowledge that my fiance would never let me live it down if I stopped!".

Emma managed the course in 4 hours 13 minutes, which is an impressive start for a novice marathon runner. She would like to thank everybody who has supported her so far in fundraising and urges anyone else who wants to donate that her justgiving page is staying open for the next couple of months. This can be found at http://www.justgiving.com/Emma-Round---Turner

So inspired was her fiance, that he has pledged to attempt three endurance events over the next six months. Captain Ed Withey will be attempting the 56 mile London to Brighton footrace, The Caesers camp 50 mile loop race in Aldershot and the famous Thames Path Centurion; a 100 mile trail race that goes through the night from Richmond all the way through to Oxford.

Ed hopes to smash his previous fundraising attempts which have included the Al Andalus 250km Ultra Trail with 3 PARA running team and the 5 peaks challenge, all of which were raising money for the Afghanistan Trust. Donations towards Ed's challenges can be found at www.justgiving.com/Edward-Withey0/ and all money raised will go straight to wounded Parachute Regiment soldiers and their families.

Pete Digby raises over £4k running the marathon with a Washing Machine on his back

2011-04-25T11:43:00.000+01:00

Pete Digby raises over 4K running London Marathon with washing machine on his back. The donations are still coming in after his coverage on the media.

Fund Rasing - Charity Bike Ride to Prosion Service Festival - 27th April

2011-04-20T09:57:00.000+01:00

My son, Patrick, was injured whilst on tour on January 2nd.

Friends and colleagues at work are organising a charity bike ride to the prison service festival of rugby in Coventry on 27th April, inspired by Patricks injury. They asked me which charity I wanted the money to go to and I asked for the monies raised to be donated to the Afghanistan Trust.

Patrick is currently at home after a second op on his leg to correct a couple of complications and he is doing very well and stays positive and has a wonderful attitude. He is going to be there to see the riders off on Wednesday morning and I will then drive him to Coventry to see them arrive. There is going to be press coverage and I would love to promote the Afghanistan Trust to the fullest.

Thank you

Diane Limb (Mother of Pte Patrick Burns)

Langenhoe Lion Raises £500 for AT and H4H

2011-04-15T10:28:00.000+01:00

The Race Night held at the Langenhoe Lion (Mersea Rd, Colchester) on Sat 9th April raised £500 for AT and H4H. 30 people attended the event. The Lion has other fund raising events planned for the rest of the year - details to follow.

Moneycorp to Sponsor AT

2011-04-15T10:27:00.000+01:00

Moneycorp, UK's leading foreign exchange specialist, have announced they will sponsor AT for an 8 month period.

Stacey Hendry - Tesco Fund Raising This Weekend In Memory of Brother Lewis Hendry

2011-04-15T10:26:00.000+01:00

Stacey's brother Pte Lewis Hendry passed away in Afghanistan February 9th 2011. She is holding lots of fundraising events this year to raise as much money as
possible. This weekend Stacey will be holding fundraising events in Tesco Stores. Stacey and her Mum both work for Tesco and are hoping to raise a lot of money for AT.

Stacey has already done a fancy dress (camo) fund-raiser in a bar in Dereham called the lounge where she raised £2,000.

Bungee Jump in Support of AT - By Domus

2011-04-15T10:23:00.002+01:00

Domus have raised £775 for AT

The main reason for us wanting to help this charity is because our company Domus have been affected personally with two of our employees experiencing the affect caused by their son being seriously injured in Afghanistan recently and we as a company wanted a way to show our support to them!

The event that we held was for 6 of out employees to plummet 165 foot of a crane with a piece of rope round their ankles over 4” deep water i.e. Bungee Jump that was the nearest we could get to a Paras thrill seeking experience. We did the event in January 2011.

Casino Night Held at Lessingham Village Hall - Sat 9th April

2011-04-12T12:46:00.002+01:00

A Casino Night was held at Lessingham Village Hall, home village to Andrew Bailey, 2
Para, on Saturday, 9th April in aid of the Afghanistan Trust.

Over 70 people attended and enjoyed a light supper of jacket spud and choice of
filling and betting on the roulette and blackjack tables. The seven people
with the highest amount of 'chips' at the end of the evening then fought it out
on the blackjack table. Each of the seven were given the same number of chips
to start and the person with the highest value when the cards ran out won the
cash prize.

A raffle was also held and donations were given from people who were unable to
attend but wished to support the cause. The total sum of £760 was made for the
Trust.

Jay Watt 4 PARA - Edinburgh Marathon in LLP Parachute 22 May

2011-04-12T12:45:00.001+01:00

Jay Watt a reservist with 4 PARA for some time and has served in Iraq and more recently Afghanistan.

Jay will be running the Edinburgh Marathon on 22 May. He would like to run it on behalf of The Afghan Trust and will be running the marathon with a LLP parachute on his back to advertise this great cause.

Stuart Tootal to Raise £9,000+ for AT running London Marathon.

2011-04-12T12:44:00.000+01:00

Stuart Tootal has so far raised £9,911 pounds in pledges and sponsorship for AT for running the London Marathon. This total may exceed £10,000 by the time Stuart has run the marathon.

Please support at:
http://www.justgiving.com/Stuart-Tootal0

Trash to Treasure - Raising Awareness and Funds for The Afghanistan Trust

2011-04-10T20:36:00.000+01:00

Sam Walton is raising funds for AT, by asking departing students to place items they leave behind with Sam's Team so money can be raised from their sale.

Sam Walton, Property Manager of Cosmopolitan Student Homes, along with the accommodation team at Stratford College are organising a charity event to help raise money for The Afghan Trust. The charity is close to Sam's heart, having lost a very good friend, Private Conrad James Lewis in Afghanistan in 2008. Conrad attended Stratford College along with another fallen soldier Private Joe Whittaker and both their deaths have affected many people from the College. Sam hopes by putting on this event to raise as much money as possible and increase awareness of The Afghan Trust and some of the amazing work they do.

Carl Knox Sponsored Walk - Around Circle Line 7th May - In Memory of Pte Martin Bell

2011-04-07T10:43:00.000+01:00

Carl Knox is planning a sponsored walk around the circle line in London on the 7th May 2011. He will be doing this with a few of his Radiographer colleagues from work.

Carl's just giving webpage;

http://www.justgiving.com/CircleLineWalk-ParachuteRegAfghanTrust

Carl is doing this in memory of Pte Martin Bell, who was a good friend. Carl is also a
close family friend, who was one of 7 members of family who attended RAF
Lyneham for the repatriation ceremony. Carl wants to thank everybody for the support
shown to the Bell family during this difficult time. The work that the AT and everybody who supports it is so essential to the injured soldiers and their families.

Casino Night - Saturday, 9th April at Lessingham Village Hall, nr Stalham, Norwich

2011-04-04T13:04:00.005+01:00

Judy Baily is running a Casino Night.

Doors open 7.30, tables at 8.00. Tickets £5 each
to include light refreshments (jacket spud & filling) and first 'bag of
chips'. There will be a raffle and a prize for person with most money left
when tables close. Bring your own drinks.

Oosterbeck Trek 3 Sept - Annual Airborne March in support of AT

2011-04-04T13:04:00.002+01:00

Mrs Naomi Whittaker, Michael Vallance and His Wife are leading a party of British trekkers to Oosterbeek in September this year to complete the annual Airborne March on Saturday 3rd September. This trek has been held for over sixty years now and details can be found on the website www.airbornewandeltocht.nl

They are taking a party of approximately twenty walkers to complete the various battlefield trek routes offered by this challenge, from 10km to 42km. They have raised over £25,000 in the past 3 years for ABF The Soldiers Charity and Help for Heroes from completing this and other walking challenges - please see http://www.justgiving.com/Michael-Vallance for an example of what we raised last year for the ABF (They raised a similar amount for H4H, raising well over £5k in aggregate).

This year they would like to make The Afghanistan Trust the sole benefit charity for our trek challenge. They would specifically like to donate the monies raised by the group this year in loving memory of Private Joe Whittaker and Private Conrad Lewis, both of 4 PARA, attached to 2 PARA and 3 PARA respectively.

Pete Digby - Washing Machine Man - Update London Marathon

2011-04-04T13:03:00.003+01:00

If you wanted to see Washing Machine Man in action please see the below link!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxlC63YSw3k

Pete has currently reached 13% of his total £10000, which Pete wishes to raise for AT.

Pte Daniel Prior RIP - Funeral details released

2011-03-21T15:36:00.004Z

It is with great sadness to inform you of the death of Pte Daniel Prior, A Coy, 2 PARA who died as the result of injuries sustained in an IED attack whilst on patrol South of CP SHAHEEN in Afghanistan. Pte Prior had been medical evacuated to the New Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and reunited with his wife and family, but died as the result of his wounds early on 18th March.

Funeral details can be found at http://paracharity.org

More info here...
http://www.paradata.org.uk/people/daniel-s-prior

Join Afghanistan Trust on Linked In

2011-03-18T10:37:00.001Z

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3829189

Afghan Trust Charity Lunch - 18th May - Beechwood Hotel - North Walsham

2011-03-18T10:29:00.004Z

Judy Baily is holding a charity lunch is to be at the Beechwood Hotel, North Walsham on Wednesday, 18th May. Don and Lindsay, who own the hotel, are generously donating the cost of the meal so all proceeds will go to the Afghanistan Trust. More details to follow.

Race Night 9th April in support of the Afghan Trust - Langenhoe Lion - Abberton Colchester

2011-03-18T10:29:00.002Z

The Langenhoe Lion (Mersea Road, Abberton Colchester) is holding a charity race night on the 9th of April for the Afghan Trust, the same day as the Grand National. They are expecting a big turn out and to raise pots of cash for the Trust to go to the lads and their families. More details to follow.

Congratulations to Cpl Tel Byrne: Another astonishing day for the GB Paracycling Team in Italy.

2011-03-14T15:28:00.000Z

Cpl Tel Byrne won a Team Sprint gold medal in a World Record Time at the Paracycling Championships in Italy and an individual Silver in the 1 KM sprint.

In the mixed team sprint Tel Byrne (Para) and his two team mates, Jody Cundy and Darren Kenny, had their work cut out when the team from China set a new world record (51.655) in the qualifying round before the GB team hit the track. The GB team reclaimed the WR in their qualifier by braking the 50 second barrier with at time of 49.809. The team went one better in the finals by setting their second WR of the day (49.5) to take gold on the world title.

The total medal haul for GB was 9 golds, 8 silvers and a bronze - with two of these golds going to the Battle Backers Tel Byrne and Jon-Allan Butterworth; both are now WR holders and world champions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/9416119.stm

BBC Coverage of Tel and Jon Allan their kilo events from Day 2:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/9423296.stm

Some pre event coverage in the Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/8373726/UCI-Para-Cycling-Track-World-Championships-2011-British-riders-ready-for-test-in-countdown-to-London-2012.html

Check out Flicker for photos of the GB team:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/britishcycling/5523014886/in/set-72157626238223074/

Thursday Cottage Donate Cheque

2011-02-18T15:48:00.000Z

"Tim Came, Managing Director Thursday Cottage, presenting CEO Craig Treeby with a cheque for £1000 following a visit to 2PARA on 14 February."

Photo courtesy of the Colchester Gazette

It is with the deepest regret we announce the deaths on 9 February of Ptes Conrad Lewis and Lewis Hendry, both serving with 3 PARA, and on 14 February that of LCpl Kyle Marshall, 2 PARA.

2011-02-15T13:49:00.001Z

More detail:

Pte Conrad Lewis: http://www.paradata.org.uk/people/conrad-lewis

Pte Lewis Hendry: http://www.paradata.org.uk/people/lewis-hendry

LCpl Kyle Marshall: http://www.paradata.org.uk/people/kyle-c-marshall

The Regiment regret to announce the death of CSM Colin (Tom) Beckett, 3 PARA in Afghanistan on 5 February

2011-02-08T09:40:00.000Z

Warrant Officer Class 2 (Company Sergeant Major) Beckett, from 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was killed by a bomb on Saturday.

Sgt Maj Beckett, 36, died in the village of Shaheed, also in Nad-e Ali district when an improvised explosive device (IED) blew up as he was moving into position to cover his comrades.

Sgt Maj Beckett joined the Army in 1990 and was known as "Tom". He had served in Iraq, Kosovo and Northern Ireland.
Originally from Peterborough,

Cambridgeshire, he had been expecting his first child with his wife Rachel, later this month.

Mrs Beckett said: "We love him and shall miss him so very much. May his love for life, strength, humour and strong character live on forever in his baby girl Freya."

His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel James Coates, said: "Warrant Officer Class 2 Colin Beckett was one of the most talented sergeant majors of his generation.

"With a long and distinguished career spanning countless deployments and three tours in Afghanistan, he represented the very essence of a paratrooper - professional to the core, devoted to his men and hugely respected.

"He was a family man and a true gentleman. But most of all, to us, he will be remembered as a fellow paratrooper and trusted friend who unconditionally gave his all in life."

The Parachute Regiment Homecoming Afghan Ball

2011-02-07T10:01:00.000Z

For details go to the Fundraising Calendar and click on 7 July 2011.

The Regiment regret to announce the death in action of Private Martin Bell

2011-02-01T09:52:00.000Z

The Regiment regret to announce the death in action of Private Martin Bell on 25 January 2011. In addition to Martin’s tragic death there were a further five soldiers injured, three very seriously.

Private Martin George Bell was born on 13 October 1986. He attended the Saits Grammar School in Shipley. However, his home town was Bradford. Before he joined the Army, Private Bell was a Police Community Support Officer.

He completed his basic training on 17 April 2009 and was posted to 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment. He came to the 2nd Battalion in July 2010, just prior to the Battalion's deployment to Afghanistan.

Private Bell shone in C (Bruneval) Company. He was excellent throughout the Mission Specific Training package and was utterly professional throughout his time in Afghanistan. He was immensely popular and well respected by all ranks. Private Bell had a bright future ahead of him and had been clearly identified as a rising star.

Private Bell deployed to Afghanistan on 14 October 2010 with C (Bruneval) Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. He was based in Patrol Base 2 in the Nahr-e-Saraj District of Helmand Province.

On 25 January 2011 he deployed with his Multiple to Spoor Kalay, a small village North of Patrol Base 2. His mission was to interdict insurgent forces along known infiltration routes and prevent them from both attacking the Afghan National Army and intimidating the local population.

At 0825hrs Private Bell was fatally wounded by an Improvised Explosive Device as he moved to assist a comrade injured by a separate device.

He leaves behind his parents Simon and Elaine and his brothers Oliver and Philip.

by Jon Baker

To read more visit http://www.paradata.org.uk/people/martin-bell
Click here to read some of the many eulogies for Pte Martin Bell (2 PARA)

Para Fitness Guide Launch

2011-01-14T10:15:00.000Z

Yesterday evening, the 13th January, Sam flew in from Singapore to launch his book at The Honorable Artillery Company in London. The event was hosted by Osprey Publishing and there was an introduction by Sam and Stuart Tootal, the Chairman of Trustees. Among the attendees were friends of the Regiment and members of the media. The book went on sale on 1st January and by the end of that week they had to order a second publication. For further information click here.

Christmas message from Sir Alex Ferguson

2010-12-20T11:23:00.002Z

The Regiment regret to announce the death in action of Pte John (Jack) Howard on 5 Dec 2010.

2010-12-14T12:34:00.006Z

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Private John Howard, from 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 5 December 2010.  

Private Howard was serving with 16 Air Assault Brigade's Reconnaissance Force on a patrol ten kilometres south west of the provincial capital of Helmand province, Laskah Gah, when he was fatally wounded during an action conducted against insurgents operating in that area.  

Private John Howard, aged 23, was born in Wellington, New Zealand on the 17 April 1987. Having arrived in the United Kingdom he applied to join the Parachute Regiment and subsequently completed the Combat Infantryman's Course held at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, North Yorkshire.  

On successfully passing out in November 2007, John was posted to the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, in Colchester. On joining his Battalion he was posted to B Company and deployed to Afghanistan in March 2008 on Operation HERRICK 8. During his time with 3 PARA, he deployed on exercises in the Netherlands, Norway, Kenya and the USA. Throughout this period John served with distinction and was identified by his Regiment as a potential high flyer with much to offer.  

True to form, in April 2010 he volunteered for service with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) and successfully completed the Brigade Reconnaissance Force cadre, excelling during the demanding build up training, before deploying on Operation HERRICK 13. During this time he qualified as a Sharp Shooter and a Team Medic.

Right from the outset of the tour he rapidly established himself as a leading personality in his section and platoon. His sense of humour and easy going attitude made him an immensely likeable figure whose friendships with his comrades spanned both rank and age. He had been at the very forefront of all the Brigade Reconnaissance Force operations up to the point when his life was tragically taken. All of those who knew John will be poorer for the loss of this engaging, compassionate and inspiring young man.  

He leaves behind his parents Roger and Anne, two sisters Charlotte and Isabella, and his girlfriend Sophie.

Lieutenant Colonel James Coates, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment said:   "Private Jack Howard was the archetypal Paratrooper. Choosing to leave behind a life in his native New Zealand, he volunteered for the challenges of service in The Parachute Regiment and rose to those challenges time and time again. Jack was selected for service with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force (BRF) of 16 Air Assault Brigade and moved across to this elite unit from 3 PARA in July of this year.   

"He had always aspired to serve in this role, very much in the vanguard of operations in Afghanistan, and he fulfilled his aspiration in spades. He was an exceptional operator and made a real impact on all those who had the pleasure to work with him. This was his second tour in Afghanistan.  

"Jack died on 5 December 2010 during an operation in the area of Zaburabad in central Helmand, which aimed to counter the local insurgent threat and bring governance and development to the area. Whilst his attachment to the BRF took him away from 3 PARA, he was and will always be, part of the 3 PARA family.  

"Indeed, more recently the BRF have served at the cutting edge of 3 PARA strike operations in Nad Ali District, supporting us in our task to bring security and a better life to the people of central Helmand. We have never seen so much opportunity for change in Afghanistan before and Jack's recent contribution to that change will be his lasting legacy.  

"Where others might have chosen the easy option in life, Jack lived his dreams in full knowledge of the risks involved. He was a brave and utterly dependable man and a good friend to all. The Regiment has lost a rising star.  

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents Roger and Anne and family at this distressing time. We pledge to remember him always and to honour his memory in all of our actions across Helmand over the coming months and beyond. Utrinque Paratus."

We have been receiving enquires as how best to pass messages of condolence to Pte Howard's parents, family and friends, particularly as the funeral will be held in NZ. We have therefore opened a Memorial Page on PARADATA on which condolence messages can be posted. This book will be available for viewing by anyone who is a member of PARADATA ( which is free to join) and in due course, the book and its contents can be printed off and made into a book to present to the parents. http://www.paradata.org.uk/people/john-howard-1

Remembrance in Afghanistan, 2 Minute Silence interrupted by small arms fire - a report from 2 PARA

2010-11-29T19:35:00.001Z

Click here to view full story in PDF format...

Charity Dinner Raises £127,000

2010-11-25T15:28:00.000Z

HAC Dinner: on 6 September 2010, the Trust ran a Charity Dinner for 310 guests, hosted by 35 members of the Regiment who had experienced tours in Afghanistan. The event was held in the Prince Regent Hall, The Honourable Artillery Company, City Road, London. The evening started off with a Champagne reception outside the hall where guests were able to visit weapons and equipment stands and talk to members of the Regiment. They were also treated to a Beating of the Retreat by the Regimental Band, sadly the Red Devils were unable to jump but the guests did get to see an RAF Chinook landing and taking off on the outfield of the cricket pitch!

The aim of the evening was to raise funds for the Trust and we were not disappointed, during the course of the dinner a Silent Auction was held, then following a stirring presentation by Col Stuart Tootal the Main Auction swung into action and the guests made some amazingly generous bids. Roger Dakin, the Auctioneer and MC for the night, kept the momentum going with a game of the Higher/Lower and guests bid on their own tables for bronze paratrooper statuettes.

The event was sponsored by ACM Shipping, Boeing and Knightsbridge Guarding who helped pay for some of the costs. In all, together with the fundraising activities, the Trust made just under £127k net on the night, which is a spectacular amount of money and our thanks goes to all who attended.

News from the Front - November

2010-11-22T16:45:00.005Z

Remembrance Reflections by Lt Col Andy Harrison, CO 2 PARA.

On the eve of Remembrance Day I sit behind the ubiquitous Hesco bastion and write. These colourless, stone-filled, wire and cloth baskets enclose almost every British base in this blighted country; they have become synonymous with this prolonged conflict.

Three of the five companies of soldiers I command are fighting for their lives at this very second. The clear autumn sun of Afghanistan is still hot, and my sweaty, dust-encrusted combat uniform bears the white, tidal salt stains of a day’s perspiration.

A day in the Green Zone of the River Helmand’s fertile flood plain.

The sweat-tide clearly traces the outline of the heavy, cumbersome body armour that I’ve just discarded. In the distance the deep staccato beat of an Apache helicopter firing its 30mm shells mixes with the occasional crump of a Rocket Propelled Grenade. At over a kilometre away, the higher frequency fire from my soldiers’ rifles cannot be heard. But each of them are fighting for their lives. In deep, cloying irrigation ditches and on the flat, vulnerable tabletop surfaces of fields recently hand-harvested, young men on both sides of the insurgency will be clawing at the ground; the crack and thump of bullets splitting the air around them. Again

It has been the same almost every day.

We’re just approaching the end of the first two weeks of this tour. The almost thousand men (and nine women) I’m responsible for have the unenviable, complex and desperately dangerous task of dragging an inherently corrupt, feudal population away from the tempting short-term Taliban offer of poppy and guns. We offer them a dangerous and potentially bloody avenue out of over three decades of privation and pain. These people know war better than probably any people on earth. They exist within it. It is so hard to break the cycle of violence amongst a people who know only violence.

Yesterday I sat strapped into the rear seat of a gargantuan armoured vehicle codenamed Mastiff. We slowly halted to check for a potential bomb at a particularly vulnerable point on a road. Our surveillance systems had noticed disturbed earth, an ominous indication that an Improvised Explosive Device may have been dug in. The search team disgorged from the vehicle in front and as the engine idled, I had a few moments of dusty peace. Cocooned in my vehicle, shadows appeared through the tiny, dirty armoured rear window. I saw young children playing around the back of the vehicle. I started to peel away the multiple layers of protection. Those layers that both prevent me being vaporised but also prevent me communicating with the locals, the people I’m here to help, the people who might tell me where the bombs are. I undid the four point harness that securely locked me into my seat, opened the heavy, inch-thick armoured door, removed my protective glasses, lowered my weapon, pulled off my helmet and at last presented a sweat-soaked human face. In front of me were six children, aged five to fifteen. All had the obvious cheek of any confident, fun-loving kid anywhere in the world. My thoughts turned fleetingly to my three girls back home,

Pippa, Izzy and Evie, almost identical ages. How the accident of birth geography can be so kind, or so cruel.

My interpreter translated the words but anyone could have read the smiles, the mimics, the optimistic begging; “Kalam, Kalam” - pen pen. We talked for 15 minutes, they rapidly earned a cylume glow-stick for their energetic efforts, and soon a greater barter began. The boy had part of one of our “tanks”. Would I buy it? He disappeared. Within minutes he was back with a heavy, space-aged looking infra-red light of one of our vehicles. Negotiations could begin.

The crack of the bullet came from nowhere obvious. Shouts immediately followed, soldiers sprinted into the cover of the armoured vehicles, the turret span around, the huge Grenade Machine Gun now pointing directly at the nearest mud compound, in the general direction of the threat. But amongst the adrenaline-soaked drills of a dozen soldiers, crouching behind cover, scanning arcs with laser sights and barking fire control orders, one thing was totally incongruous; the children.

The report of the rifle, so obviously familiar to these tiny kids, had caused an instinctive reaction. As one they ducked. But as one they also recovered their composure. They knew this was not serious; there was no machine gun, no RPG, no grenades, no immediate escalation.

And so in the lives of these young kids, bred in the short term survivalism of Helmand, their most important issue changed in a literal heartbeat.

Instantly their focus returned from the bullet to the barter.

From under my body armour I clumsily pulled five dollars from my pocket. He looked at the note disdainfully. At fifteen he would already give Lord Sugar a run for his money. He started to haggle but a second crack reverberated over our heads.

Enough.

The troops sprinted back to the vehicles and in a cloud of dust and gravel we were off again. I had the light, he had the dollars. We were all safe.

Life in Afghanistan; simply survival.

Ten minutes later we were in Patrol Base 1.

Nameless but infamous.

The previous occupants, Malta Company, had ground out a small area of “protected community” around the base.

But at what price?

When I had first visited PB1 six months ago it was occupied by a vibrant, confident Rifle Company, optimistic and full of the buzz of escaping a dozen “contacts”, our euphemism for battles. No-one had been killed, their luck had held. But now the tiny memorial at the front of the small base was overflowing with names. Seven of that Company had subsequently died, 49 had been wounded. All from the less than a hundred who started.

Five bullet cases welded together into a cross.

The cross on a simple, rough stone cairn in memoriam.

It represents the greatest of ironies; the crucifix memorial to the Prince of Peace constructed with the weapons of war; a memorial to friends shot and blown apart, commemorated by the soulless instruments of violence.

A dust-beaten plank of wood lay against the memorial with words childishly scribbled upon it by a friend. By a friend who will now be enduring the reality of the loss back in England, probably living in the raw, visceral aftermath of crushingly painful meetings with grieving family or friends.

The words, accompanied by a felt-tip drawing of a helmet resting on an upturned rifle, read:

“Do not call me hero,
When you see the medals that I wear,
Medals maketh not the hero,
They just prove that I was there.

Do not call me hero,
Now that I am old and grey,
I left a lad, returned a man,
They stole my youth that day.

Do not call me hero,
When we ran the wall of hail,
The blood, the fears, the cries, the tears
We left them where they fell.

Do not call me hero,
Each night I stop and pray,
For all the friends I knew and lost,
I survived my longest day.

Do not call me hero,
In the years that pass,
For all the real true heroes,
Have crosses, lined up on the grass.”

That anonymous friend did not make up those words, but he wrote them. He wrote them for Daz.

Daz who died on the third of May, 2010.

Daz, who would have been full of life, optimism and hope on the eleventh of November 2009.

Rest In Peace Daz, and may your sacrifice help the children. I pray our luck holds better than yours.

Family of Dale Hopkins Raise Over £24,000

2010-11-05T15:31:00.004Z

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support of the family and friends of Dale Hopkins: parents Gary and Susan Featherstone, Emma Gorton, Sara and Dee Featherstone, and Claire Humphries, who have raised over £24,000 so far and there is still more to come! This is a fantastic memorial to a son, brother and friend.

Pictured: Some of a great fundraising team: Claire, Emma, Sue, Sara and Dee. With Gary Featherstone behind the camera!

News from the Front - October

2010-10-01T13:02:00.002+01:00

Lieutenant Colonel James A Coates
Commanding Officer 3 PARA

As you will be aware, elements of 3 PARA have already started to deploy to Helmand as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade. As the tour progresses over the next 6 months we will endeavour to use this page to bring the tour to life for all of you back home.

You will be aware that our geographical area of responsibility in Helmand has changed. However, we have already conducted a visit to this new area and I am content that we are ready for the challenges ahead. Our task is to work closely with the local Afghan Government and Afghan security forces to increase security in areas of central Helmand.

This activity aims to remove the corrosive effect of the insurgency and deliver improvements in important areas of governance - justice, healthcare, education, employment, the economy and the local infrastructure are particular areas of focus.

The local people want to see change but do not have the power to resolve these issues on their own. It is an enormous privilege and honour to be part of the 3 PARA team responsible for this mission and your continued support is essential to our success.

The Battalion is up for the challenges ahead and is now better prepared than it has ever been. For many this will be their first deployment to Afghanistan but for some this will be their second or even third tour. As a result, 3 PARA now has an unprecedented level of operational experience in Afghanistan which will set us all in good stead in the months ahead.

The Battalion undoubtedly faces a challenging 6 months but be reassured that it is superbly prepared at all levels, is well-equipped and deploys at a time when genuine progress is being delivered in Afghanistan. The Battalion is a first class team and I will do all I can to look after them - please let the Welfare Team do all they can to look after you.

PARAS 10

2010-09-14T12:29:00.000+01:00

Back in September...

What a fantastic day! To tread those hallowed grounds was an honour and a privilege.

My feet are raw, my legs are dead and my energy levels are minimal however, I can’t take the smile off my face.

The whole event was first class, everybody who came to support me thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. The Red Devils were excellent....I see a tandem jump for the Afghanistan Trust on the horizon...

Although it was hell, I was brimming with pride from the start of the event and still now. The Paras made us feel so proud to be British. They are absolute "lions" and we can’t thank them enough for what they do out there.

My father had a tear in his eye on more than one occasion during the day. Meeting the Paras, the new recruits, the Red Devils and watching me tabbing round the course filled him with pride.

I think if I was few years younger, by the end of the day I would've signed up! Not sure what the wife would've made of that, after all, it was my second wedding anniversary yesterday and I spent it tabbing round Catterick.....Brilliant!

Finished the day with a 60ft jump from the Para Tower!

We have raised a total of £700 for The Afghanistan Trust and we are honoured to be able to give something back to the people who give so much to protect our future. The lads that served the regiment and our country deserve the best possible support available and it is a pleasure to be able to help in this way.

The training was hard, the tab was hell, but the pride never leaves you. We are coming back for more next year!

God bless our Paras!

Peking to Paris 'Greatest Motoring Adventure'

2010-08-17T09:46:00.004+01:00

Afghan Trust supporter Peter Little and his brother David will drive a splendid 1930 vintage Bentley almost 9,000 miles on the classic rally from Peking to Paris, hailed as the 'Greatest Motoring Adventure' of all.

First driven in 1907, the route follows the old Silk Road from China through Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekhistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey and Europe. This is only the fourth rally, due to political barriers through the years.

His epic journey will pass to the north of Afghanistan, where the Regiment will be deploying for Herrick 13. Peter wishes to acknowledge the soldiers of The Parachute Regiment and show his support for the Afghanistan Trust by inviting donations through his blog site.

The start is 10th September, 107 cars will be competing and they hope to finish by 16th October. We wish Peter and David safe driving and a superb experience.

To read their full story, visit their website.

Ironman Competes for Trust

2010-07-14T16:41:00.002+01:00

Intrepid Blades Williamson is taking on the Lake Placid Ironman in aid of The Trust on 25th July 2010.

A mere matter of 2.4 miles swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 miles marathon run. That's why they call it the Ironman.

If you would like to support Ironman Blades please donate via his JustGiving web page. To date Blades has raised over £14,000.

Cycle Challenge - Lands End to John O'Groats 2010

2010-06-11T14:35:00.003+01:00

John & Moira Adams and friends are cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats in memory of their son Pte Kyle Adams 1 PARA who was killed in August 2009.

If you wish to donate please follow the link to their JustGiving web page.

RACING SOLO TO THE MAGNETIC NORTH POLE

2010-04-14T12:32:00.000+01:00

The Polar Challenge is an annual 370 mile ski race from Resolute Bay in northern Canada to the magnetic North Pole. Competitors ski across frozen sea ice and drag all kit and equipment in a pulk (sledge). Every team has to pass through two checkpoints where they receive a compulsory medical inspection and are able to resupply their food and fuel.

Initially the plan was to enter this race as part of a team representing the Parachute Regiment; aiming not only to win the race but raise as much money as possible for Help for Heroes and the Afghanistan Trust charities. The credit crunch unfortunately prevented this from becoming a reality. With only four months to go before the race started I had only managed to secure sponsorship from Schroders to enter as a solo competitor. Entering the race as a soloist had never been done before so I would be the first person to race to the magnetic North Pole alone. Fortunately after a few meetings with the race organisers they agreed to let me attempt the race solo.

When I arrived in Resolute Bay I met a team of twelve who had failed their mission to reach the magnetic North Pole. After covering only 65 miles they had to give up on their expedition. Due to poor ice conditions and weather, four of the team had suffered from frostbite and one from hypothermia. Immediately I was concerned! This year the ice was particularly bad, the pressure built up from sea currents and strong winds had forced the ice to crack and rise forming huge pressure ridges the size of houses and condensed boulder fields of ice.

After a week of testing equipment and acclimatising to the conditions, the 8 teams entered in the race, embarked on the 60 mile walk to the start line, by this point we were all very keen to start the race as soon as possible. As everyone sprinted away from the start line I was amazed by the speed of some of the faster teams. As a soloist I had to carry all the group kit which would normally be split within the team. This included: the shotgun, tent, stoves, shovel, GPS, emergency beacon, and satellite phone. I was dragging approximately a third more weight compared to the other competitors. The race organisers had warned me not to get too involved in the race, because I was the first ever soloist all they wanted me to do was finish. However, regimental pride would not accept last place. I knew I couldn’t ski faster than a lot of the teams due to the extra weight I was dragging so my only option was to ski for longer.

Initially I aimed to ski for 16 hours and stop for only 8 in one day. The amount of sleep I got during my 8 hour rest period would be far less than the other teams. A team can have one person cooking whilst the other team members sleep or reinforce the tent. A soloist has to do everything on his own with limited concurrency; this reduced my sleep down to just 4 hours a night.

After the first day I didn’t see another team skiing until I reached the first checkpoint. All I could see around me was the most spectacular scenery. Rather than feeling lonely and isolated I felt exhilarated by the idea of being a tiny object in this expanse wilderness. After 120 miles I finally reached the first checkpoint which consisted of a tent with a doctor sat inside. After 6 hours sleep and a resupply of food I began making my way to checkpoint 2, which was located 110 miles away. The ice and weather conditions were as close to perfect as they could be. I decided that this would be the best time to really push myself and catch some of the teams in front of me. Race rules stipulated that you were not allowed any outside assistance so you never knew your position in the race. I began to increase the length of time I was skiing from 16 hours up to 24 hours without stopping. Despite pushing hard I was still unable to see any teams on the horizon. My frustration quickly turned to surprise when I came across what appeared to be a shoot off, between one of the teams and two Polar Bears. The ground was littered with used cartridges as well as two different sets of Polar Bear footprints. I had seen numerous bear footprints but nothing as recent as these. After a quick Satellite call to the organisers they warned me that there were two angry bears in the area. The team who had been shooting had fortunately had a narrow escape, one of the team happened to turn around to see a bear charging at them. They quickly got the shotgun and managed to scare the bear away, which got as close as 5 metres. Unfortunately the bear returned with its friend and began following them. After yet more shooting the bears finally went away. I reached checkpoint 2 in just 3 days and could now see two teams at the checkpoint.

As I arrived both teams were getting ready to leave. I could therefore workout that they were roughly 10 hours ahead of me. I decided that the only way to catch up and get round the two teams was to do two 24 hour days back to back with only 8 hours rest in between. Once in front I would have to hold on until the finish line. This plan however was dependent upon continued good weather.

When I skied away from checkpoint 2 I could see the weather was beginning to turn. Within an hour visibility was down to 5 metres and the wind had picked up to 30 mph. The wind in the arctic rarely changes direction and blows from north to south. Since I was heading north the whole time I had to endure the full force of the arctic weather head on. In these conditions I couldn’t ski longer than 16 hours a day. My focus shifted from travelling as fast as I could to just being able to travel without getting hypothermia or frostbite. For 3 days I skied with my head down in horrendous weather. Since I couldn’t pick any reference points due to the lack of visibility I had to rely on the direction of the wind to navigate. Just as long as I kept the wind blowing directly in to my face I was heading north.
The poor weather also played havoc with my 8 hours of rest. Not only did it take longer to put up and take down the tent due the risk of it blowing away, but every few hours I had get out of the tent and dig it out because of the snow building up around it. The sound and power of the wind was incredible. Unzipping the tent and looking out in to an abyss of white each morning with the sound of the wind flapping on the side of the tent made getting out of the tent a daunting prospect. What I hadn’t realised was that some of the other teams had decided to sit in their tents and wait for the weather to improve. Even though I couldn’t ski as hard and as long as I wanted the fact that I was even skiing was an achievement.

After 3 days of hard skiing the magnetic North Pole was only 35 miles away. In the poor weather my speed had gone down to just 1 MPH. Much to my relief the weather gradually improved so I decided to capitalise on this and skied for 21 hours without rest in order to catch the other teams before the finish line. I completed the 370 miles in 13 days. Out of 8 teams I managed to beat 3 of them and was only a matter of hours behind the two teams ahead of me. It was only when I finished that I noticed the affects the race had had on me, during 13 days of racing I lost a stone and a half in weight. Overall taking part in the race was an unbelievable experience and I am extremely fortunate to have experienced the challenges and beauty the arctic hold. I am also very grateful for the continued support I have received in raising money for Help for Heroes and the Afghanistan Trust.
www.northpole-solo.co.uk