On 6th June 2026, Myself Nathan Jackson- Fusilier veteran, and Cpl Marc Thompson,who is currently serving with First Fusiliers, are taking on the 100km Priory Ultra Marathon – Bamburgh to Tynemouth Priory Castle to raise funds and awareness for East Durham Veterans Trust, supporting early intervention for veterans and serving personnel across the North-East, and beyond.

This isn’t about “broken” service personnel, veterans families and civilians.

It’s about strong people carrying heavy loads — often quietly — and making sure support is there before things reach crisis point.

As a Fusilier, that sense of belonging, shared identity, and looking out for one another doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

From those still serving to veterans and their families, we remain one connected family.

We train to be resilient, adaptable, and dependable — but we’re also human, and sometimes we need backup.

The North East is home to one of the highest proportions of veterans in the UK, with around 160,000 veterans living in the region.

Most transition well into civilian life, but a significant minority face challenges around mental health, isolation, employment, or identity — especially in the years immediately after leaving service. That’s where early, trusted support makes all the difference.

We have previously completed a number of challenges for the same cause.

A couple of years ago, we completed the David Goggins 4x4x48 ( run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48hrs) challenge to raise mental health awareness. It was the hardest things we've done mentally and physically. After posting about it, people reached out to say it had encouraged them to seek help when they were struggling. That reinforced something he already believed: visible action and honest conversations save lives.

For both Me and Marc, discipline, coaching and structured support have been game changers. Having someone in your corner — someone who listens, challenges, and helps you make sense of what’s going on — can be transformative.

Early support doesn’t just prevent crisis; it builds confidence, purpose, and momentum.

That’s why this challenge matters.

The money raised will go to East Durham Veterans Trust, helping them continue their work supporting veterans, serving personnel, families, friends & civilians early, locally, and in ways that actually work — before problems escalate and before people feel they have nowhere to turn.

This is about strength, connection, and looking after our own.

If you can donate, share, or simply start a conversation, you’re part of that effort.

Let’s show that asking for support isn’t weakness — it’s leadership. 💪💙

#Veterans #Fusiliers #MentalHealthAwareness #EarlyIntervention #EastDurhamVeteransTrust

#UltraMarathon #NoOneFightsAlone

#TheFusiliers

#OAFAAF

#FirstFusiliers

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