The death of Douglas Dalzell was a shocking and tragic loss for his family and many friends. Dougie died on 18th February 2010, his 27th birthday, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, leading his men and serving his country as a Lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards. In September of the same year he was posthumously awarded the Military Cross, one of Britain’s highest honors, in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy.

 

The Douglas Dalzell Memorial Trust was set up in January 2011 to fund projects that were felt to be important to Dougie; primarily the rehabilitation, both mental and physical, of soldiers who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces and for the well-being and education of their dependants.

 

It is in an effort to honor Dougie and support his Trust that we write to you today. As many of you know, Dougie occupied a very special place in the hearts of the Ankarcrona family. Anything less than the most inhospitable, challenging event we could find wouldn’t be a fitting tribute to his legacy or the feelings that he inspired in us. To know him was to admire him and his perpetual drive to do things better, faster and stronger.

 

And so it is in his name that we will be taking on the most difficult physical challenge of our lives; RacingthePlanet: Nepal - from the 20th to the 26 of November – a self-supporting endurance race through the Annapurna mountain range, comprising 7 marathons in 7 days. We will carry all our food and equipment during that time - no Sherpas on this one – through rapidly changing terrain and altitude which fluctuates between 3,000 and 11,000 feet. Needless to say, the projected loss of toenails is a daunting prospect for a mother and daughter team who highly prize their polished toes.

 

We have set ourselves a fundraising goal of $20,000. We know that now, more than ever, there are endless requests for your time and money but your gift in any amount will make a difference to the important work that Dougie’s Trust has set out to do. Thank you so much for considering our challenge.

 

Aurore and Sandra Ankarcrona