Most of you will probably know that I HATE running with a passion. In fact the way I see it there are only 3 good reasons to run: 

1) You are running from something or someone very scary 

2) You are playing football or another sport and you are having so much fun you dont realise you are running. 

3) You are on a pub crawl and you think you might not make the final bar for last orders.

So why am I doing this? Well I feel fortunate to be able to run at all which is why I am raising money for the Royal British Legion. For every soldier that is killed in a war zone many more come back with life changing injuries. The Royal British Legion provide practical care, advice and support to members of the Armed Forces. They have also helped a friend of mine.

Charmaine joined the Army in 2002 and served two tours in Northern Ireland, as well as tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. During second tour in Afghanistan Charmaine was working with a Danish team de-arming improvised explosive devices. A Danish soldier stood on a device and set it off. Charmaine dived down behind an armoured car and shrapnel entered her body in several places. One piece of shrapnel severed the Achilles tendon.

 

After an initial operation to remove some of the shrapnel, Charmaine went to Headley Court for rehabilitation. Several pieces of shrapnel remained in her thighs and legs. The tendon did heal, but scar tissue thickened, resulting in loss of movement and her inability to put her heel flat on the ground. Another operation was carried out to cut a V shape in the tendon, which resulted in some additional movement, but didn’t give the result required. After further rehabilitation and another operation to deal with the nerves within the leg, movement was worse. On 23rd March this year her left lower leg was amputated and she is undergoing rehabilitation with a view to having a walking prosthetic limb.

 

An injury like this has a massive emotional impact as well as a physical one, not only on the person themselves but on their loved ones as well and I know Charmaine appreciates the support she has received from the Royal British Legion. In fact you can see a picture of her on a climbing trip with them at the top of this page. This is just one of the many great things they do support our soldiers so please dig deep and donate now.