10 mile in 58 webbing and pack
Why i'm marching in march
I have a great deal of respect for the armed forces for putting their lives on the line for others.
Growing up I heard many stories from my Grandparents about their time in National service. My Granddad Jim relayed stories about his dad running away from home to lie about his age to fight in the First World War, going on to be wounded and sent home. Then running away again to re-join only to be wounded again but this time by a dum dum bullet through the shoulder. This amongst many other stories about relatives during WWI.
I've read a number of books and memoirs form veterans of WWI and WWII.
My Granddad Jim would share stories of his in National service patrolling through the Malayan jungle in his Daimler MK II armoured car during the Malayan emergency.
My Granddad Ken spent his National service as an ambulance driver which is where he learned his mechanical skills.
I am not a member of the armed forces, the closest I've come would be my time in the GMACF (Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force) No. 5 Anzio Coy.
I'll admit my intentions for joining the Army cadets at the time weren't perhaps the most innocent as I was more interested in getting the chance to shoot a real gun after hearing a friend who was already in the cadets tell me about his weekend shooting. Yet, through my time in the cadets I feel that I gained some insight into the Army and an increased respect that soldiering is more than shooting a rifle or machine gun. It taught me discipline and new skills, first aid and land navigation.
The furthest I got within my cadet career was to 2* with the rank of Lance Corporal.
Naturally a number of our instructors within the cadets were military veterans and sometimes in the middle of the natural "hurry up and wait" they would share stories about their time in the forces.
One instructor was a Royal Marines commando with stories from around the world. Others would share tales of their times in Northern Ireland during the troubles and the challenges faced there.
Even after entering the workforce I've crossed paths with many veterans just at my current workplace. My supervisor has told me many a tale of his exploits abroad from the Nevada desert to Hong Kong with the RAF. When I started work I didn't have a toolbox, my first toolbox used to belong to my boss who had an IFOR QRH Bosnia 1996 sticker on it. He has a photo of his tank crew in his office.
I even had a small chat with someone from another department within our depot who served in the more recent conflicts in the middle east whilst attending a breakdown waiting for the wagon to cool down after overheating.
There are many more that I don't think I could fit here. So I feel it's the least I can do to walk 10 mile in their boots, so to speak.
Support my March in March
This year I will be taking on March in March to raise vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans.
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 March in March to help take vital steps towards ensuring veterans can get the support they need.
Thank you so much for your support and together we march!
