Mark Classick served as a 19 year-old private soldier with the Second Battalion the Parachute Regiment during the Falkland Islands conflict in 1982. He retired from military service in 2022 having served for a total of 38 years. Now, in a personal tribute to those that fought in the campaign, he is currently cycling the length of South America (nearly 12,000 kms).

In spite of a heart condition (he was diagnosed with Coronary Vascular Disease in 2021 and has x2 stents inserted in his heart), he has made remarkable progress through incredibly challenging and diverse environments.

Since starting at the beginning of December 2023, and having cycled through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Northern Argentina, he is currently in Chile.

He will continue south through Patagonia before crossing back into Argentina and Tierra del Fuego. He hopes to reach Ushuaia by 20th of May 2024, from where he intends to travel to the Falklands in time for the 42nd anniversary of the Battle of Goose Green where he will pay homage to the fallen who are laid to rest there. It will be his first return visit to the battlefields.

Encouraged by friends and family, he has decided to attempt to raise both money and awareness of the charity that supports veterans of the 1982 campaign.

All contributions no matter how small (or large!) will be greatly welcome. Please pass this detail on to all that might be interested in both the endeavour and the charity concerned. Mark will be happy to explain more about the venture and the charity he has decided to support.

The South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA 82)

The main purposes of SAMA (82) are simply stated. We intend to maintain and promote a sense of pride and comradeship among all veterans of the South Atlantic campaign, and to keep them in touch with each other, in a manner which respects both individual privacy and personal requirements.

Mark writes:

“As the Falkland Island veterans age, many will struggle to reconcile the intense emotional experience of participating in that conflict with the challenges of getting old and living outside the close-knit community that is the military. All too often, I have observed veterans suffering a sense of depression, loneliness and poor health. I am concerned that there can be a tendency for some veterans to focus too much on the past and not look forward with ambition”

“Perhaps this endeavour, hopefully invoking something of the Spirit of ’82, will serve as a small reminder that there is always a challenge and a goal that we can set for ourselves. I believe that we can all draw upon the adversity and extraordinary experiences of the past to do something extraordinary in the future. No matter our age or health- we can all strive to: …go a little further”.

Mark Classick, 6 May 2024