Background

Last year I ran in the Man V Horse Marathon as part of a three man team for the British Heart Foundation. This year I am going to run the full marathon on my own for the Household Cavalry Operational Casualties Fund (HCOCF).

I am also running for the BHF and if you would like to donate to that charity please go to  www.justgiving.com/bounders as this webpage is specifically for donations to the HCOCF.

 

The Man V Horse 

The Man v Horse Marathon is a race between humans and horses over the Cambrian Mountains- it starts in the Llanwrtyd Wells Town Square and is run over a 22 mile course (run by individuals or relay teams of three) using a mixture of farm tracks, footpaths, forestry roads and open moorland (aka bog). There are a few short distances over tarmac and it is very hilly with a total ascent of 3000ft.

 

It took 25 years for the first man to beat a horse… In my case, I will just be happy to finish!

 

More details on the Man V Horse marathon can be found at http://www.green-events.co.uk/eventinfo.php?eventdetails=71

The Household Cavalry Operational Casualties Fund (HCOCF)

The Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) in

HCR Battlegroup are now all back in and will remain deployed until the end of this month. The Household Cavalry have been at the forefront of Coalition efforts in areas such as Musa Qaleh and Nad e Ali supporting operations such as the widely reported Op MOSHTARAK both as a Battlegroup and as part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force.

To date 14 soldiers have been “casevaced” from due to injuries including those caused by IEDs and indirect fire. The most serious have included the death of LCoh Woodgate RHG/D and Tprs Ward RHG/D and Mapp LG who have both had double amputations of their lower legs.

HCOCF Background

Following the experiences of D Squadron in Afghanistan in 2006, the HCOCF was created by its then Squadron Leader, aimed at helping to provide financial support to injured soldiers and their families, inclusive of those who have lost their lives on active service. The fund has so far raised £190,000.

Whilst it has been recognised that much of the financial burden imposed by tragic operational casualties and injuries to soldiers is catered for by specialist Regimental and Armed Forces organisations, experience has shown that there is very much still a need for immediate assistance for serving members of the regiment who are injured on current operations.

HCOCF Fundraising Target

Tragically, there is a requirement to raise significantly more than the £190,000 already raised.

The fund has just recently drawn up a campaign strategy with the aim of initially raising £1.5 million in donations between May 2010 - October 2011 for injured Household Cavalrymen and their families.

Who has benefited and how has money raised been spent to date?

LCpl Martyn Compton LG, suffered horrendous injuries following a well coordinated Taliban ambush near the town of Musa Qaleh, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on 1 Aug 07. Martyn’s Spartan CVR(T) was destroyed by an Improvised Explosive Device, which killed the remainder of the crew and left him with 70% burns to his body, most notably to his torso, head and arms. He also suffered a complicated gun shot wound to his right leg as he tried to extract from the immediate area. Martyn has undergone numerous operations and skin grafts, enduring many hours of operations.

Throughout his ordeal, Martyn has shown nothing but the stoutest resolve and ambition to get back to work. His wife Michelle, along with their families has been instrumental in aiding his remarkable recovery, with added financial burdens. They and Martyn will continue their journey but will require financial assistance in the many years to come. Recently the fund paid for an adapted bathroom and gym equipment to aid Martyn’s recovery and rehabilitation.

With the sad and tragic loss of Tpr Ratu Babakobau LG (Killed In Action on 2 May 08) and Tpr James Munday LG (Killed In Action on 15 Oct 08) this fund has sadly become increasingly more important and needed. Both these brave soldiers gave their lives for their friends, their country and for the people of . The fund has paid for photograph albums of James to be presented to his family and supported Tpr Munday’s father Robert for his fund-raising climb of Mt Kilimanjaro.