Updated on Mar 8th 2012 at 9:37 AM from the JustGiving API

Thanks, was this Penny?

Updated on Feb 14th 2012 at 11:27 AM from the JustGiving API

Thank you to everyone so far, training is going well.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Like many others I didn't manage to secure a ballot place for the London marathon in 2012, I was always going to run for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) if I had got in but now thanks to them giving me one of their few charity places I’m able to achieve one of life's tick boxes.

A bit about me:

I'm a reservist in the Territorial Army and have been since 2001, I’ve volunteered in 2006 to complete a tour of Iraq and also in 2009 I volunteered to go to Afghanistan (see pictures) my work have always been supportive with my Army role which I am grateful for.

People that know me are probably going to laugh out loud when I forward them the link to this page, I can run but really don't like too.
The extra tyre around my waist confirms this, I have the feeling that I’m actually going to have to train for this one, I’m sure I’ll not be able to wing this little challenge!!! 
That’s worth sponsoring just to see fat boy run....
 
I picked the ABF charity due to the good work they do after the soldiers get hurt in conflict and out of conflict.
I had a role whilst in Musa Quala which is in North West Helmand, Afghanistan which meant I looked after the admin for a troop of blokes that were out and about on tasks for days at a time.

Along with a colleague I received a message to report to the head shed due to there being an incident. It transpires that one of the vehicles the troops were driving hit an IED.
Understandably the driver and commander were hurt quite seriously.

My role was to talk the incident through with this troop after the dust had settled, about 72 hours is the guideline.
I'll not recall the conversation here as it’s quite graphic but the professionalism of all the blokes saved the lives of two seriously hurt people.

The tour continued on with further incidents, I had to list and pack items belonging to another injured bloke to be shipped back to the UK, it just goes to show you that you are not invincible and on borrowed time, especially if you're on such dangerous tasks.

When the tour was finally completed and it was time to come home we went through Cyprus, I saw one of the lads who had been blown up.
He was now sporting prosthetic legs and even joined in with a spot of go karting.
You’ll never will knock an Army man down and keep him down, I didn't really know him well but fair play for getting stuck back in.

I got to know a few members of his Troop well and I’m the greater for it and for the experience.

I write this little story to highlight the fact that I went on the same tour as this Troop albeit on different tasking but I came back with everything I left with.
Lads died, lots of lads were injured some with serious life changing injuries and I’m just going about my normal job happy I’ve done my bit.

Well have I?

Once the injuries are taken care of at hospital and their either fitted up for prosthetic limbs or a wheel chair that’s only the start.
ABF and other charities really get stuck in and help out with converting the houses used by the injured to enable them to walk around with rails, support systems and lots of other bits and pieces.

I had read that a decent prosthetic limb costs somewhere in the region of £10000.

So,
There has never been so much public support for the troops abroad in Afghanistan as there is now, you're all proud of everything they do and rightly so it’s bloody dangerous out there.

Please dig deep and help me raise  Two thousand pounds, this isn't enough to change the life of someone seriously hurt but it'll help.

You can come see me at work, email me at work or ring me on 07801 436400 and I’ll add you to the paper version if you don't want to use this site.

If you do use this site 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.

Thanks very much in advance

Martin