Story
Seven members of 4 Rifles including myself are taking part in the Snowdonia Marathon on October 30th 2010. We are running the race in aid of C4C - this is a new charity that is focused on looking after the fallen and injured soldiers from the Rifles and their families.
The Rifles were formed in February 2007, from four other Regiments. It is the largest Regiment in the army and is steeped in history, although on the flip side due to the size it means the Regiment seems to be constantly on operational duties. One of the things we pride ourselves on as Regiment is that we consider ourselves as one big family who look after each other through thick and thin.
As we look back over the past three years of our Regiment’s life it has been characterised by operational tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, 42 men have been killed in action and over 200 have been notified as casualties (in need of hospital care due to injuries sustained in action). Of these 200, over 40 have injuries which are life changing. We do not yet know the extent of the psychological injuries suffered and we will not know this for some years to come, if ever.
Each one of us taking part in the race has been affected by what has happened over the last three years in one way or another. Every member of the Battalion that has been killed or injured each of us knew in some way, some have been very close friends and we have found this very difficult to deal with.
All this started two days after A Coy had their medals parade on return from Afghanistan in May of this year when over a glass of beer in the Serjeants Mess CSjt Williams (Will) mentioned that he was taking part in the Snowdonia Marathon and proceeded to challenge a few of us to the race (being soldiers we are always up for a challenge). Then whilst looking back at the parade where all of the casualties that had been injured in Afghanistan attended and had made an immense effort to receive their medal from the Duchess of Cornwall, it made us think that this was something we could do and perhaps raise money to help these brave young men in some small way.
One of the casualties was Cpl Ricky Furgusson who had sadly lost fingers, both of his legs, and suffered severe facial injuries from an IED (Improvised Explosive Device). We all have very fond memories of Ricky and how he was before his life changed so dramatically. He was an outstanding soldier and a brilliant Boxer for A coy and the Battalion and this is what most people remember him for, however; he also had a fantastic sense of humour and was very quick witted which through all this he has managed to hang on to.
After the parade we each made my our way over to speak to him and within 5 seconds it was clear that he hadn’t lost his sense of humour, as he was quick to comment on our various misfortunes such as hair or rather the lack of it. We all were a little nervous to say the least, what do you say to a young man that only 6 month earlier had everything but was there in front of his friends missing his legs most of his hands and to be quite frank was almost unrecognisable. All credit to him though, as he was the one putting us at ease making us realise he was still the same Cpl Furgusson we had known for years just looking a little different. We chatted for a while about his rehabilitation and how he was managing, it was apparent that he was going to be in and out of hospital for a very long time, a lot of the time for reconstructive surgery to his face. We also spent time talking to some of the other men and their families that had been injured whilst fighting for their country and it became clear that they all need a lot of care and will do for some years, perhaps the rest of their lives.
The team that will be taking part in the marathon have all been in the army for at least 18 years in some cases’ a lot longer.....let’s say we are part of the older generation of 4 Rifles - they are, Capt (Rob) Cutler, WO2 ( Gaz) Case, WO2(John) Ineson, CSjt (Pash) Pashley, CSjt (Will) Williams, WO2 (Mark) Whitby, WO2 (Danny) McCreith). Two of the team have completed a marathon before, but for the rest of us, well, let’s just say there is a first time for everything!!.
The Marathon is said to be one of the most difficult ones in Britain, so we are aware that it won’t be easy, and as it is held at the end of October we are conscious that we will have the weather to contend with (we know Wales is renowned for it’s cold wet weather). Taking all this into consideration we know what we are committing to, but are not fazed by it as we know it is for an extremely worthy cause. If ever we feel we need a little inspiration all we have to do is think about the young men from the regiment that have lost their lives or who have been severely injured whilst trying to protect our country and allowing us the privilege of the chance of a better world to live in.
If anyone would like to sponsor us please visit the Justgiving web site at www.justgiving.com/teamrifles Care For Casualties (C4C) and make a donation every penny counts.
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