LANDMARC SUPPORT SERVICES – LONGSTRIDE 26!

With our support to the United Kingdom Defence Training Estate now in its twenty second year, Project Longstride is once more taking to the footpaths and byways to raise funds for Combat Stress. On an estate that encompasses mountains to moorlands; minches to meadows; meres, mines and monuments, LONGSTRIDE 26 is teaming up with the March in March initiative to enable as many colleagues and supporters as possible to step out for this most worthy of causes.

Originator of this event and former Director of Engineering, Tim Shapland, said:

“Back in 2013, with the support of Landmarc colleagues, we raised over £10,000 for Combat Stress through the original Project Longstride initiative. At that time, HM Forces were at an extremely high operational tempo, with deployments to Iraq, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan in constant focus. It was not hard to understand the needs of Combat Stress and all other service–related  charities and organisations.

Today, whilst the land-based operational commitments for HM Forces are now much reduced, the flow of former servicemen and women seeking assistance from Combat Stress regrettably shows no sign of diminishing. Typically, it takes around 13 years after leaving the forces for a Veteran to come forward knowing that they need help. No one is immune – the span of ranks that have sought support from the organisation have ranged from private soldier up to Major General, and other service equivalents -.

In my original series of walks, I was humbled by a number of colleagues who chose to confide in me that they too had sought and received assistance from this charity. Assistance that had enabled them to continue their lives in a manner that was not dominated by events in their past. Now, nearly 13 years on from our first collective effort, the time seems more than appropriate to offer all the support that we can, for those who served in environments and circumstances from which we have collectively been protected by their efforts.

Engagement will allow all participants to visit some of the more hidden away parts of the countryside that offer unparalleled views and curiosities as well as the chance to connect and bond with each other in a shared endeavour. A healthy element of cross regional competition may also enable some yet-to-be-discovered Leaders to emerge!”