My name is Bris Lightowler (some may know me as Jon and others as Mark!) In 2018 I will be taking part in The Frontline Walk to raise funds for ABF - The Soldiers Charity.  2018 is the last of the 5  Frontline Walks, marking the centenary years of World War 1.

About me

I am an ex Royal Military Policeman  who served over 22 years in the British Army, serving on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia Herzegovina and further tours in Germany, Canada and GB. 

I am only too aware of the valuable work that the ABF does to help servicemen who return home in many cases suffering the effects of battle for many years to come.  I am very proud of my military service, and in giving my support to this charity I am able to provide help to others who suffer with great dignity, but are in dire need of our valuable support.

The event

Between 03-10  October 2018 year I will be part of a team - 'The Rugby Relics' -  taking part in the ‘Frontline Walk’ which seeks to raise funds for the Army Benevolent Fund - The Soldiers Charity.  The Frontline Walk is taking place in France and Belgium and is a sponsored walk through all of the major battlefields of WW1 Western Front.  The walk is 100km in three days. 

2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1-The Great War during which so many lives were lost.  The Frontline Walk takes place in the areas of the Somme Offensive and Ypres Salient on the Western Front .  The event starts at the massive Lochnagar Crater on October 5th, the scene of a 60,000lb underground explosion that started the Somme offensive and left a crater 30m deep and 100m wide.  The walk ends at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres, Belgium for the ceremony of the Last Post 3 days later.  The walk takes a route through the old WW1 Western Front battlefields where wreaths are laid in memory of the fallen at the countless War Grave Commission cemetaries. 

The Charity

The Army Benevolent Fund was set up in 1944 to support soldiers, veterans their families and dependents in times of need. The charity seeks to provide assistance where it is needed through the various
regiments of the British Army and assist both serving soldiers and veterans, their families and dependants in times of need.  This assistance comes in many ways from help in setting up businesses,
the purchase of prosthetic limbs, house modifications to accommodate wheel chair access and mobility issues, assisting those who suffer with mental health issues… the list goes on.  In essence it exists to help those soldiers and veterans, and their families that need assistance, financial or otherwise as a result of their service.

It is estimated that for every soldier that returns from conflict with physical injuries, there are many more who suffer mental illness
as a result of their service.  This is an illness that cannot be seen, but which the individual struggles with on a daily basis, and in many cases for the rest of their lives.  There are by conservative estimates between
8,000 and 9,000 homeless servicemen in the UK living on the streets, many of whom suffer mental illness also, the largest single grouping amongst the homeless in the UK. The ABF aims to address this massive issue and provide the support they need through aid donated to regimental organisations.  They also provide valuable assistance to
families and dependants of servicemen and veterans in times of need. 

My Goal

I aim to raise in excess of £1,250 to help reach our team goal of £18,750

Full details can be found at the ABF website-

https://www.soldierscharity.org/about-us/what-we-do