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Hello! Yes, you did read that correctly – I have signed myself up for a 10K run (that’s 6.21 miles for the pre-metric amongst you). A fair old distance I’m sure you’ll agree, especially for a novice runner who’s never run very far in her life, and is much more at home having a good G&T and a nice sit down… Well, I’ve decided to go for it and am taking part in the British 10K race in London on Sunday 8th July 2012. Through a combination of running, walking and, by the end of it, dragging myself round the sights of London, I am doing this to raise money for a good cause – The Parachute Regiment Charity. Why am I supporting The Parachute Regiment Charity? The Parachute Regiment Charity was established to support soldiers of the Parachute Regiment and other Airborne Forces. It is close to me because of my Grandad, Major Jack Watson MC, who died last year aged 94. As some of you will know, he was a Parachute Regiment veteran and was one of the many who parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, 6th June 1944. Years after the war, Grandad became involved in leading pilgrimages for veterans and their families back to Normandy to remember and commemorate their comrades who never made it back home. It has become an important part of the Watson family calendar, and when I joined them for the first time in 2006 it brought home the bravery and sacrifices these men made for their country, and continued to make, in more recent years seeing action in Iraq and Afghanistan, with more having made the ultimate sacrifice. <a href="http://www.paracharity.org/about/">Paracharity</a> help with: - The relief of need, hardship and distress amongst past and present members of The Parachute Regiment and their dependents We look after our serving soldiers, whether they served in the Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere with the Regiment, even if not on active operations. If wounded, injured, in need of specialist help or in financial need or distress, we are there to help. We also look after the needs of their families who are inevitably affected. - The promotion of efficiency of The Parachute Regiment There are many aspects of the Regiment’s life that make it a great place to work and belong to, but they are not always paid for by public funds. To keep them going and give our soldiers the life they deserve, the charity helps with funding. These help to keep up morale, encourage the spirit of the Regiment and ensure that we recruit and keep the best. - The promotion and maintenance of the heritage of The Parachute Regiment We have a proud history since 1940 and are determined that the service and bravery of all our soldiers serving and retired is not forgotten, and is properly commemorated, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I hope you agree that our forces do an amazing job and deserve our support. Just please have a G&T ready for me at the finish line… :) Thank you for your support. Louise x   Some important information: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now.

Louise ran the British 10K!

Louise ran the British 10K!

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