Christian Bennett, Kyle Grimsey & Connor Pegg are all set to abseil for charity.

Christian and I are volunteer youth ACF instructors whilst Connor is still a cadet himself. We all belong to the same unit, 3Pl Basingstoke, we have 30+ 12-18yr olds, all who have and continue to show support to their local community, giving to others and helping to make a difference to people’s lives. Last year, as a unit we raised just over £4000 and we are setting our sights on beating that this year.

One of our closest friends and unit instructors was himself a soldier in the British Army, in the now disbanded Royal Welsh Regiment and then later Royal Military Police (don't hold that against him), later becoming a Metropolitan Policemen and in his spare time volunteered in the ACF. Jamie Townsend was a small bald chap; he was comedic, full of life, up for anything and had a heart as rare as diamonds. Sadly, he was diagnosed with a very rare type of cancer, 'Ewing Sarcoma', which forms in the bone and soft tissue. He went to war against cancer, tackling it head on. Successfully winning the battle he continued with his life. Being hit with this once in your life is a tremendous blow and bad enough, but during remission the cancer had come back. 

Jamie prepared for round two he had brutal and intensive treatment, with the support from his partner, friends and family, Jamie fought relentlessly and beat the cancer again. Great news! 

Years passed and Jamie continued to dedicate his life to the people of London and the children of Hampshire & IOW Army Cadet Force.  Jamie marriedhis beautiful   fiancé and life was good!

At the beginning of 2013, Jamie attended a routine remission check-up and was told that the cancer was back with vengeance and very malignant. A cruel fate brought about this fight for a third and final time. 

He showed me in the years I knew him that life was the best gift you will ever posses and he lived every minute of it to the fullest. He enjoyed everything outdoors and only knew one speed - flat out. In his life he gave so much and if you were one of those he cared about he had a way of making you feel like you really mattered. He was one of the strongest and most inspiring men I have ever met, having the grit and determination to prevent it taking over his life. He showed us despite his fate, he could still get the most out of life. Jamie fought courageously, attempting to rid his body of the cancer but on Friday 22nd November 2013, Jamie passed away in St. David's Hospice Care, Usk, South Wales.

His life and family were eased from the support that the St Davids Hospice gave him when his illness became terminal. We have chosen them to raise funds for St. David's Hospice Care, as they provide free community-based hospice care to people with cancer or any other life threatening illness living in Gwent and S. Powys. Your donations help us to provide the services that they give patients, a real choice about where they spend their final days. To continue the fantastic work they do for terminally ill people and enjoy the time they have. 

We wish to help the ABF, a charity which is special compared to some other Armed Forces charities, what makes them unique is they are there to support servicemen, women and their families , not just the short term for their entire lives, when needed most. For those brave people who have done more for their country, or supported a loved one during or after such times of duty, can often need the most. Our Army Cadet unit strongly believe in the charity and want to continue to support it. 

In memory of Jamie, we will be abseiling down the side of The Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth to help raise money for the charity that supported Jamie in his family in the final months of his life and the military personnel who despite their and their families heroism, can become vulnerable themselves and in need of support.

All proceeds will be donated in memory of my dear friend, to St. David's Hospice Care and Army Benevolent Fund! As we look to the crazy challenge, if you could help sponsor us we would be deeply touched.

Christian, Connor & Kyle.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Jamie and for your support.

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