I am a British Army veteran with multiple operational tours and understand the difficulties ex forces men and women can face when trying to transition from an army life and role into a civilian life and employment so I am looking to raise as much money as possible for Walking with the Wounded by completing a 100 mile Ultra Marathon on the 12th September. The cut off time is 30 hours. I have previously completed a 38 mile ultra on 2 occasions and more recently a 35 mile Ultra over the Yorkshire Moors so this is a massive step up but a challenge that I am really looking forward to and one that will test me both mentally and physically as I raise as much as possible for a fantastic cause. 

My oldest friend Paul Goodwin and his wife Amanda have very kindly offered to help with my pacing for the last 20 miles or so to keep me sane and stop me running the wrong way or into trees. 

Established in 2010, Walking With The Wounded supports a pathway for vulnerable veterans to re-integrate back into society and sustain their independence. At the heart of this journey is employment.

They recognise the inherent skills of our armed service personnel and want to complement these qualities, as well as provide support to transfer their skills into the civilian workplace. They offer assistance through programmes to those vulnerable veterans who have been physically, mentally or socially disadvantaged by their service and assist them in sustaining their independence through new sustainable careers outside of the military. This includes providing support to homeless veterans and veterans in the Criminal Justice System, areas which are too often ignored.

A bit about me and why I want to help this Charity

I first left the army in 2005 after multiple deployments to Northern Ireland and Iraq and with no training or qualifications under me I spent the next 7 years bouncing from job to job not knowing what I wanted and struggled getting used to day to day life. In 2012 I completed my Close Protection course as well as my Maritime Security courses before rejoining the Army and deploying to Afghanistan in 2013 but within a month of being home from Afghanistan in 2014 and out the army I was back in Iraq working in security. I tried again after that to work full time at home but within a year I'd had enough and started working in Maritime Security. I love the job but with 3 amazing young sons, 2 step daughters and a fiancee at home I knew it couldn't go on much longer as it was getting harder every time to be away from them. Everyone who knows me know that my sons are my life but at the same time if I was home too long I would start getting anxious. People who don't understand think you are mental, everything I could ever want would be at home but If I spent too long at home I'd feel like I was losing the plot. One of the reasons for me worrying was that I would be unable to gain worthwhile employment and be able to support my family so rather than stick around and try, the easy answer was always to go back into Maritime Security, do a few weeks or months then come home with plenty of money and then go through it all again. 

I am currently working back in the UK which has allowed me to catch up on missed time with my kids and I am also working towards completing my Personal Trainer Qualifications so when I do decide to go and work away again I will always have that to put my energy into on return to the UK.

Being home has given me time to get stuck into training for the 100 miler that I feel honoured to be running to raise money for Walking with the Wounded in what is their 10th Anniversary year. 

I will be doing a couple of shorter Ultra Marathons between now and September in the build up to the 100miles as preparation but all race fees have been paid by myself so every penny that is donated goes directly to Walking with the Wounded. 

UPDATES

Ultras Completed 

FEB 2020 Railway Ultra - 38 miles

JULY 2020- Punk Panther High Life Ultra - 35 miles 

Thankyou Very Much. X