I’m running the first Brighton Marathon in April 2010 in memory of my partner Jessica’s brother Jamie Gunn. Jamie was killed on February 25^th 2009 when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. He was 21. Two of his colleagues who were in the vehicle with him, Paul Upton and Tom Gaden, also died.

I knew Jamie from when he was about 16 when I started going out with his sister. I’m so proud of what he did, completing army fitness training with shin splints, and how he totally excelled in his role as a soldier. I know this both from his own stories when he came home on leave, and his colleague’s stories that I have subsequently heard. Although it was Jamie’s first tour, he had already been picked out by his seniors as having leadership potential.

Jamie was a great bloke and he had a wicked sense of humour. He used to wind me up something chronic, especially about him fancying my sister. His theory was that it was only fair seeing as I was going out with his. I want to raise as much money as I possibly can in his memory because The Soldiers' Charity truly is an amazing charity.

 The ABF The Soldier's Charity helped us in the immediate aftermath of Jamie’s death. They provide support for soldiers and their families, whether it is money to help adapt an injured soldiers home, buy a wheelchair, or even help with care home fees for Second World War veterans. You can read stories of how they have helped individuals on their website:

http://www.soldierscharity.org/how-we-help/our-stories/

 

 Please remember to add gift aid because it adds another 28% to your donation, which comes from the government. 

Thanks so much,