Restart24

Restart24 is a simple concept; run, jog or walk 3 miles in a hour. The clock restarts every hour and the challenge lasts 24 hours. Each 3 miles completed within the hour are accumulated giving a total score over the 24 hours with a maximum of 72 miles…

All the blood, sweat and blisters will not be in vain, with all your kind donations going to Restart - The Players Charity. 

We have an amazing crew already signed up:

Chris Bajak

Jamie Howard

Charlie Keith

Seth Andrews

Ross Andrews

Fynn Page

Rayhan Wilson 

Helen Crains

Alfie Oliver

Kev Barrett

Martin Simpson

And a special thank you to Paul Lazarus for looking after us throughout the night.

Why Restart - The Players Charity 

Restart provides a vital role in supporting current and former professional rugby men and women in England who are facing financial, medical and emotional difficulties. 

Restart are proactive in supporting the professional rugby family, including through the transition away from playing, which can at times be unexpected through injury and illness and very bumpy. 

Medical Support

Catastrophic and life-changing injuries are rare but when they do happen the effects are devastating.The physical force behind tackles and scrums can be massive - if something goes wrong, a player’s life can be altered forever by a split-second neck or spinal injury.

The challenges facing players in these circumstances are wide-ranging and not just limited to the trauma of the injury itself.

Along with losing the game they love, players can face high medical costs, painful rehabilitation, depression, loss of income and an uncertain future.

Restart can help with the cost of long-term specialist medical treatment, and equipment or home improvements to assist with rehabilitation and disabled access.

Emotional Support

One in four people in the UK will be affected by mental illness each year, whilst 63% of players struggle with mental health issues within two years post-retirement.

Restart plays a crucial role in providing a confidential helpline to players who are experiencing a mental health issue. From this point, if required, a player will be able to access a trained professional who will be able to provide support for their needs. 

“Don’t Suffer in Silence, lift the weight”. 

Show your support

Please get involved by #hashtaging the name of who you are supporting! 

Follow the story

You can follow the story and show your support on Instagram & Facebook @wolfpackpilgrimage

Restart24 is one of a series of pilgrimages.

Previous Pilgrimages

#2 Hadrian's Wall Pilgrimage

In the early hours of Saturday 17th June 2023, I set off from Bowness-on-Solway Cumbria with a small team with the aim of walking the entire 84 miles of Hadrian's Wall in the fastest possible time. I arrived at the finishing point in Wallsend, Newcastle at dawn on Sunday,18 June 2023 in what could well be a World Record time for walking the 84 miles of Hadrian's Wall in one go - 27 hours and 20 minutes!

A World Record time of 31hours and 5 minutes was set in 2008 (reference 3), and I will conduct due diligence to establish if this time is still the official World Record.

#1 Perimeter of Wales Pilgrimage

On the 14th April 2023, I set off to cover the 1064 mile perimeter of Wales. The journey started at Chepstow Castle, I headed north up Offa's Dyke, before I turned west on to the Welsh Coastal Path, which I followed until I completed my journey back at Chepstow Castle on the 21st May 2023. I walked the entire perimeter of Wales in 38 days. The distance covered was the equivalent of over 40 marathons and 30 ascents of Mount Snowdon.

The remarkable journey around Wales enabled me to totally immerse myself in the breathtaking landscape and beautiful scenery, whilst creating a strong feeling of camaraderie with those that I met and with those who accompanied me on the way. By opening up to each other and establishing those connections, it helps to build a future with a positive outlook.

On the pilgrimage, I met up with good friend and Ocean Photographer Ross Andrews, at the beautiful north beach in Tenby where we produced a sand draw that gained local and national coverage (references 1,2).On each of the challenges, I have been overwhelmed by the love and support I received, both from local communities and individuals who have either joined me on the walks and/or backed my journey in some way. The kindness and hospitality I have been shown is nothing short of amazing and I thank everyone who has helped out and been involved along the way.

My Story

I joined the Army at 17 and spent over two decades in the UK's Elite Airborne Forces with the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. I was deployed on operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. I lived a dual aspect life, in that in between tours I was an elite sportsman, playing professional rugby for Gloucester, Harlequins and 7’s with the Barbarians and England.

Fast forward a decade, and I have learnt that my suppression of past events has manifested itself in my psyche and behaviours. Despite having a complete breakdown, I was still in denial as to my mental health issues, until recently having been clinically diagnosed with PTSD. My symptoms are not uncommon with others who are battling the same disorder - most notably I suffer from continuous intrusive thoughts from past experiences, ever increasing fogginess of mind, unwarranted negative thoughts about myself and hyper-vigilance to threats that simply don’t exist. These symptoms, together with the unsettling feeling of being on edge when I go to sleep, has resulted in an increasing need to self-isolate. 

My refusal to admit I was struggling and lack of recognition for the need of help has had a significant detrimental effect on not only my own wellbeing, but also on the people I care for the most. However, as a former Airborne Solider, it is instilled within me to take a disciplined approach to resolving problems. As such, I am taking responsibility for my own recovery, drawing on the latest research to assist in my healing and the support of a caring community.

I am determined and focussed on my mission to quieten the demons and help who I can along the way.

Thank you for your support,

Andy