Please Donate What You Can
In 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 😊
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.
My Achievements
Created a Team
Uploaded Profile Pic
Shared fundraising page
First Donation
Raised £250
Raised £500
Raised £750
Raised £1000
Reached Fundraising Goal
Thank you to my Sponsors
£130
Facebook Fundraising
£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.
£117.04
Rosemarie Streeton
£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!
£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
£104.50
Julia Roberts
What a hero you are Jake! Good luck and enjoy the challenge.
£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.
£100
Kevin Brigginshaw
£95
Offline Donations
£90
Offline Donations
£75
Alfred Lord Tennyson School
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.
£75
Offline Donation
£65
Offline Donation
£55
Veterans' Breakfast Club
£53
Gary Shaw
Have fun for a good cause
£53
Thomas Nevin
Jake Great cause mate
£53
Tony Roberts
Good luck to you and Steve. Nice to meet you both at breakfast
£53
Kevin Griffin
Great cause Jake.
£53
Isabella Okagbue
Good on you Jake!
£53
Amanda
Good luck Jake!
£53
Lynne Baker
Go for it darling!
£52.25
Amy Crawfurd
Best of luck Jake for a fantastic cause
£52.25
Anonymous
£50
Part 1 Chichester House
This is the first part of donations from the kind residents of Chichester House
£50
Nigel
£50
Justin Burt
Goodluck with this Jake. Its a very honourable cause. Hope you and the family are all doing well. Cheers Justin
£42.40
Helen Crichton
Well done Jake ! You are an amazing person for all you do for others.
£40.28
Andrew Presland
£40.28
John Gouldie
All the best Jake, we know that you can do it.
£37.10
Anna Abel
Go Jake go!!
£37.10
Barwick House
Donation from Jim, Bob, Ian and Mary
£31.80
John & Caroline Hickingbotham
Go Jake Go you will meet your target no problem, a real worthy cause.
£31.80
Ngozi Adi
I hope it went according to plan!
£31.80
Peter Banks
Had problems initially finding your page, but got there in the end. Wish you well.
£31.80
Greg J
Good Luck 🫡
£31.80
Gina
Good work...hope it all goes well xxx
£30
Offline Donations
£30
Clive Dobbs
All the best Clive & Jan Dobbs
£28.62
Shaun Hart
£28.62
Peter Norman Barratt
£28.62
Peter Middleton
Go team!
£28.62
Hilary Hill
An amazing cause.
£28.62
Mark Davie
Awsome Jake
£28.62
Liza Thomas
Well done guys. Proud of you.
£28.62
Ngozi Uche
Jake, great cause! Best of luck.
£28.62
Marianne Mason
Such a worthwhile cause.
£28.62
Alison Holmes
Best of luck, Jake.
£28.62
Clare Hind
A fantastic cause Jake, enjoy. Best wishes Clare
£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.
£28.21
Yvonne Adams
Wishing you and Steve all the best for your walk.
£28.21
Zara Cunliffe
Go Jake!
£28.21
Tim Daber
Best of luck.
£28
Part 2 Chichester House
Part 2 Chichester House. This is the secon part of donations from the kind residents of Chichester House.
£27
Dominic Goble
£27
Linnet Smith
£27
Kevin Haresign
🫡
£27
Alan Armson
£26.50
Angela Evans
Good luck Jake, I know you'll smash it!
£26.50
Julian Cripps
Thank you for raising money for this great cause.
£26
Steve Bennett
A great cause Jake and I’m sure you’ll smash it!
£25
Graham & Sally
Here you go Jake
£25
Nigel Exton
£21.20
Penny Munro
£21.20
James Rough
Good luck sir!!
£21.20
Sue Pettitt
A great cause, wishing you all the best.
£21.20
Andy
Awesome effort as always Jake!
£21.20
Barry Collins
Hope you enjoy the walk Jake. Why not take a football with you.
£21.20
Bonnie
Well done, Jake! Have a blister-free time!
£21.20
Janet Auty
£21.20
Marion Darnell
Good luck to all taking part
£20.90
Jill Brown
£20.90
Rejane Gass
Great Cause Jake! Good luck for the race!
£20
Andrew Scarborough
Great work so far. Hope this helps a little.
£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 😊
£20
Maria Pegg
£20
Catherine Young
Best of luck with the challenge
£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
John Baker
Good luck Jake for this worthy cause
£20
Harry Calder @ D-day 80
Having met and chatted as we approached Pegasus Bridge
£20
Ken Roberts
Top bloke, well done Jake
£15.90
Angela Wilson-north
Good Luck Jake - a very worthy cause!
£15.90
Jose Kyprianou
£15.90
Allison Bates
In honor of Jake Baker finishing the Samaria Gorge in Crete!
£15
Jake Baker
Ok, we have lift off 🤣
£14.50
Tony Samra
It's only 44 BFT's mate.....👍🏽
£10.60
Rebecca Crane
£10.60
Katrina Fox
£10.60
Megan Graham
Good luck
£10.60
From The Tucks
Good luck from the Tucks
£10.60
Jim Muir
See you there Jake
£10.60
Garratt
Sorry for this delayed response. Finally got there. Well done to you and the team 👏
£10.60
Kenneth Roberts
Doing a great job
£10.60
Mandy Mcmahon
Good luck Jake
£10.60
Stephen Westlund
£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
Ron Johnson
Good luck Jake!
£10.60
Jake Baker
£10.60
Andy Carter
Good on you Jake!
£10.45
Amanda Beaty
Good luck!! - great charity…
£10.45
Sarah Clarke
Good luck for tomorrow Jake, you and Steve are going to smash it. Such a great cause ☺️
£10
Patricia Willmott.
£10
Cathy @ The Cloisters
Here you go Jake
£10
Rick Croot
£6
Melanie Baker
Incredibly proud of you Dad & well done. Great cause & go for it!
£5.30
Mel
Good luck jake and team you are doing amazing and a charity close to our hearts
£5
Caroline Hancock
Very small amount but will donate more later on x well done Jake x
£5
Steve The Young Rushdenite
Happy birthday
