Ashley Jones

In honour of Lee Morris

Race to Remember - in honour of Lee Morris, RRF

Firstly thank you for taking the time to visit my page. People say I can go on at times and chat for days but this time it's for a good cause.

2020 was a turbulent year for us all due to COVID but 2019 was a year of was a year of personal disbelief and transformation for myself.

Running, which once felt like my fitness nemesis became a dark place of escape for me as pressures mounted in life which I struggled to deal with. I found myself unknowingly descending into a mental health struggle often referred to as 'The Black Dog.' It didn't matter how much weight I could lift or how far I could run, my mind was not at ease.

As a serving soldier within the British Army, my years of military experience have shaped me into many things profoundly and I've strived to reclaim my physical and mental well-being sooo for some sanity:

● March 2021 - I completed the 4x4x48 CHALLENGE for MIND charity- ran 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours with the only rest being on the 4 hours off...This is where the legend I speak of unknowingly to me drove 3hrs, knocked on my door to run 4miles with me, had a coffee then drove home 💚

● June 2023 - Applied to compete in the COMBAT STRESS,  D-DAY CHALLENGE Marathon running across the beaches of Normandy however, work commitments prevented me from participating.

● June 6th, 2024 - OPERATION SWIM - swam 500m/5km - OMAHA BEACH non-stop in a 20m pool (250 lengths) in memory of the fallen service personnel of the D-Day landings for Help For Heroes. #BlackSwimmersMatter

● June 26th 2024 - OPERATION SWIM - swam 11,500m/11.5km - SWORD BEACH non-stop in a 20m pool (575 lengths) in memory of the fallen service personnel of the D-Day landings for Help For Heroes. #BlackSwimmersMatter.

● 22nd March 2026 - RUN ROME, THE MARATHON - first official marathon in 3hrs 58m 32s (2x personal bests)

I knew I'd need another fitness challenge for my own mental sanity but didn't expect it so soon just like a Royal Regiment of Fusiler legend to many, that he'd too leave us too soon. This legend being a true friend namely by the name of Lee Morris aka to me and many 'The Morris'. A genuine, caring, son, brother, husband, uncle,  boxer, funny, straight talking, loving, brother in arms and alot more to name but he is now being a bigger legend on the the other side.

So this year on 7 Nov 2026, Remembrance Sunday weekend I will be taking part in Race to Remember:

• Distance: 76km / 47.2mi
• Elevation: +2100ft max grade 13%
• Aid Stations: 6

This ultramarathon will take me into some dark, painful, lonely moments on a 76km route over a mix of trails and tarmac over the challenging South Downs overcoming 2000ft of elevation from Aldershot to Portsmouth, HMS Warrior, a historic dockyard.

All of this to raise vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment and vital steps towards ensuring veterans can get the support they deserve and need.

My goal:

● Fnish this ultramarathon and not to miss the checkpoint times

● Raise awareness of mental health

● Hit the fundraising target/goal and go beyond it.

All support/donoations leading up to this throughout the training journey and race day all acts a fuel for me to deliver, all for "The Morris" OAFAAF.

"Never Above, Never Below, Always Side By Side"

Once you donate, your contribution goes directly to the charity - making it the most efficient way to support this cause and charity for veterans alongside mental health. 

Thank you for taking the time to read all of this (if you made it this far).

Ashley "Malteser Head" Jones

Combat Stress is the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health. For over a century, they've helped former servicemen and women deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, they provide support to veterans from every service and every conflict.