Support my D-Day Challenge
In honour of our forefathers as well as current servicemen who have bravely fought to protect our way of life, I will be taking on the D-Day Challenge to raise vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans.
The D-Day 44 Challenge commemorates the 1944 Allied invasion of occupied France. I will be heading to Normandy, to race across its picturesque beaches, finishing at the historic Pegasus Bridge on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, 6 June 2024.
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.
I’m taking on D-Day Challenge to help take vital strides towards ensuring veterans can get the support they need.
Thank you so much for your support.
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Created a Team
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First Donation
Raised £250
Raised £500
Raised £750
Raised £1000
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Please Donate What You Can
Thursday 11th JanIn September 2023 whilst on holiday in Crete, I took a one day break from worshipping the sun and decided to walk the Samaria Gorge instead; it is one of the longest gorges in Europe, around 9 miles long and begins at 1,230m above sea level taking about 6 hours to complete as it is a steep, twisty and rocky descent with uneven footpaths along the way with wooden railings at the dodgy parts. Even though we were out in the sticks, we not only respected the environment forestry-wise, but were asked to not shout or scream (save for wanting to be rescued or having to use the whistle!) because we would scare the Kri Kri (Cretan goats) which may cause rock fall and worse. The scenery is stunning, especially when looking across the mountains. There is such a variety of plants and flowers as you descend to the floor of the gorge amongst the trees and pines; it just blows you away and the heat, even in the shade, is stifling – hydration is so important. Near the end of the walk, we went through the ruins of Samaria, a 14th century village with the latter mile or so becoming easier. The glass of beer I downed afterwards was simply paradise - Yamas!
What did I learn from this great, but unusual experience and in the middle of my holiday? My wife enjoyed a good few quiet hours, for sure. Jesting aside, I was not as fit as I thought and at one point at one of the few rest stations, I took a 20-minute rest and drank all the water I could take on board.
Now the festive season is well behind us, we will be meeting up for regular walks of 10+ miles because that is crucial and will help us keep on top of the game, not to mention a much looked forward and favourable change of seasonal weather.
We cannot thank you enough for your sponsorship; we are so looking forward to doing our part in honouring those who didn’t come home and experiencing what we know will be an amazing commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings off Normandy Beaches; after the event, we’ll tell you of our experiences of the D-Day 44 Challenge and in closing, we wish you a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year. The photo was taken whilst I was doing the Samaria Gorge Trek 😊
ShareThank you to my Sponsors
£75
Alfred Lord Tennyson School
£100
Northants Breakfast Club - June 2024
Northants Breakfast Club for Veterans held a BBQ today and celebrated HM The Kings Birthday and collected exactly £100 for us.
£20
Mick & Sue
We wanted to give you a donation for the walk you did for the Normandy Veterans recently. We've been on holiday and now back
£20
Bob & Peter - Raf Association
Following the Announcement that Jake & Steve completed the Walk, Bob & Peter donated to take The Rushdenites over the £6K mark 😊
£31.80
Ngozi Adi
I hope it went according to plan!
£20
Harry Calder @ D-day 80
Having met and chatted as we approached Pegasus Bridge
£10
Rick Croot
£10
Cathy @ The Cloisters
Here you go Jake
£25
Graham & Sally
Here you go Jake
£21.20
Andy
Awesome effort as always Jake!
£42.40
Helen Crichton
Well done Jake ! You are an amazing person for all you do for others.
£10.45
Sarah Clarke
Good luck for tomorrow Jake, you and Steve are going to smash it. Such a great cause ☺️
£28.21
Jill Haydon
Good luck and wishing you all the best with this great effort for in this D-Day Challenge, Jake! I am sure you will complete every step of this in style, for a very worthwhile cause.
£5.30
Mel
Good luck jake and team you are doing amazing and a charity close to our hearts
£10.60
Garratt
Sorry for this delayed response. Finally got there. Well done to you and the team 👏
£20
Catherine Young
Best of luck with the challenge
£10.60
Katrina Fox
£53
Lynne Baker
Go for it darling!
£53
Amanda
Good luck Jake!
£31.80
Gina
Good work...hope it all goes well xxx
£28.21
Yvonne Adams
Wishing you and Steve all the best for your walk.
£10.60
Megan Graham
Good luck
£106
Liz Newell
Wishing you and any others participating in the in the D-Day challenge every success . You are all fantastic well done x
£120
Part 3 Chichester House
This is the third and final donation from the lovely kind residents of Chichester House boosted by £50 from M and £18 loose change found when clearing my late Mother's Flat.
£6
Melanie Baker
Incredibly proud of you Dad & well done. Great cause & go for it!
£14.50
Tony Samra
It's only 44 BFT's mate.....👍🏽
£37.10
Barwick House
Donation from Jim, Bob, Ian and Mary
£28
Part 2 Chichester House
Part 2 Chichester House. This is the secon part of donations from the kind residents of Chichester House.
£100
Kevin Brigginshaw
£50
Part 1 Chichester House
This is the first part of donations from the kind residents of Chichester House
£10
Patricia Willmott.
£10.60
Kenneth Roberts
Doing a great job
£31.80
Peter Banks
Had problems initially finding your page, but got there in the end. Wish you well.
£21.20
James Rough
Good luck sir!!
£28.62
Alison Holmes
Best of luck, Jake.
£37.10
Anna Abel
Go Jake go!!
£50
Nigel
£28.62
Liza Thomas
Well done guys. Proud of you.
£20.90
Jill Brown
£28.62
Shaun Hart
£75
Offline Donation
£20
Maria Pegg
£30
Clive Dobbs
All the best Clive & Jan Dobbs
£50
Justin Burt
Goodluck with this Jake. Its a very honourable cause. Hope you and the family are all doing well. Cheers Justin
£21.20
Marion Darnell
Good luck to all taking part
£28.62
Ngozi Uche
Jake, great cause! Best of luck.
£21.20
Barry Collins
Hope you enjoy the walk Jake. Why not take a football with you.
£40.28
Andrew Presland
£27
Alan Armson
£104.50
Julia Roberts
What a hero you are Jake! Good luck and enjoy the challenge.
£53
Thomas Nevin
Jake Great cause mate
£27
Kevin Haresign
🫡
£10.60
Andy Carter
Good on you Jake!
£20
Ken Roberts
Top bloke, well done Jake
£10.60
Ron Johnson
Good luck Jake!
£28.21
Zara Cunliffe
Go Jake!
£20.90
Rejane Gass
Great Cause Jake! Good luck for the race!
£31.80
John & Caroline Hickingbotham
Go Jake Go you will meet your target no problem, a real worthy cause.
£28.62
Clare Hind
A fantastic cause Jake, enjoy. Best wishes Clare
£117.04
Rosemarie Streeton
£10.60
Jim Muir
See you there Jake
£40.28
John Gouldie
All the best Jake, we know that you can do it.
£15.90
Allison Bates
In honor of Jake Baker finishing the Samaria Gorge in Crete!
£10.60
Clare Pearce
All the best Jake. You're doing this for the best of reasons, raising money for a much needed charity. Well done!
£10.60
Mandy Mcmahon
Good luck Jake
£20
Andrew Scarborough
Great work so far. Hope this helps a little.
£90
Offline Donations
£53
Gary Shaw
Have fun for a good cause
£52.25
Amy Crawfurd
Best of luck Jake for a fantastic cause
£21.20
Penny Munro
£28.62
Peter Middleton
Go team!
£95
Offline Donations
£130
Facebook Fundraising
£27
Dominic Goble
£10.45
Amanda Beaty
Good luck!! - great charity…
£10.60
Rebecca Crane
£28.62
Peter Norman Barratt
£15.90
Angela Wilson-north
Good Luck Jake - a very worthy cause!
£26.50
Julian Cripps
Thank you for raising money for this great cause.
£25
Nigel Exton
£26.50
Angela Evans
Good luck Jake, I know you'll smash it!
£21.20
Janet Auty
£28.62
Marianne Mason
Such a worthwhile cause.
£20
John Baker
Good luck Jake for this worthy cause
£52.25
Anonymous
£28.62
Mark Davie
Awsome Jake
£53
Kevin Griffin
Great cause Jake.
£21.20
Sue Pettitt
A great cause, wishing you all the best.
£28.21
Tim Daber
Best of luck.
£53
Isabella Okagbue
Good on you Jake!
£5
Steve The Young Rushdenite
Happy birthday
£28.62
Hilary Hill
An amazing cause.
£26
Steve Bennett
A great cause Jake and I’m sure you’ll smash it!
£65
Offline Donation
£53
Tony Roberts
Good luck to you and Steve. Nice to meet you both at breakfast
£10.60
From The Tucks
Good luck from the Tucks
£21.20
Bonnie
Well done, Jake! Have a blister-free time!
£10.60
Stephen Westlund
£55
Veterans' Breakfast Club
£27
Linnet Smith
£30
Offline Donations
£15.90
Jose Kyprianou
£31.80
Greg J
Good Luck 🫡
£5
Caroline Hancock
Very small amount but will donate more later on x well done Jake x
£106
Pete Mccrone
This is the ideal opportunity for me to support you in memory of my dad (he would have 100 years old this year and landed in Normandy on D-Day +1) - so grateful for all of your efforts - all the best my friend!
£15
Jake Baker
Ok, we have lift off 🤣
£10.60
Teaching and Support Staff raised £75 for such a good cause. On D-Day one of the School Governor's phoned from Normandy Beaches. The pupils were excited to hear him as he said he saw HM The King.