Story
Welcome to my page .
I am so pleased to announce I am back running and will be representing Veterans with Dogs . As many of you know I support our veterans , who give so much of their lives and selves protecting us and our families. I have supported various charities through previous events and runs and I also adore Animals especially dogs (please dont tell my two cats ) so its a perfect fit.
I will be completing twelve 10k runs during 2026 which will be self funded , starting with The Skegness 10k on January 25th 2026 and ending at the Brigg Poppy run on the 25th October 2026 which for a veterans charity it is quite fitting and also a fantastic event supporting our veterans
https://curlysathletes.co.uk/brigg-10k-poppy-race
Veterans With Dogs is the UK’s first and leading charity dedicated to training and partnering assistance dogs with current and former members of the British Armed Forces living with mental health difficulties.
They specialise in task-specific training that supports individuals diagnosed with conditions like PTSD, depression, or anxiety, empowering them to lead more independent, connected lives.
Every dog they place is more than a companion; they’re a lifeline. With your support, they can continue changing lives, one wet nose at a time.
So why do I Run for our Veterans
The Charity has asked me this and I have thought about it quite a bit. Having family who served this Country in both World Wars in the Army and RAF and having friends who either served or now as I am older friends whose children bare arms for US and OUR COUNTRY and in both scenarios some of those did not come home . I remember seeing the news that HMS Coventry had been sunk and then HMS Sheffield during the Falklands war ,I remember crying in school assembly as they read out the name of a lad who was killed on the ship from my County , I remember working with guys in the 90s who had been on the Island at the time and how it had affected them . In the 50s after World War two there was no such thing as mental health and a bit of stiff upper lip got you through as it did my grandfather after WW1. He died 20 years after that war ended killed by his wounds received at the Somme.
I remember watching the TV During the Gulf War and Afghanistan places thousands of miles away and the flights landing with our fallen covered in our flag, I remember the tears as flowers were thrown onto cars from the loved ones of families.
We lost 457 of our own during Afghanistan and 255 in The Falklands. All of those had Grannies, Grandads, Mums, Dads, siblings and friends who mourn their passing at every family event, Christmas, birthdays and holidays and probably most every day. Children who will not know Mom or Dad. Families who will not see their children get married and have children themselves. Generations lost because of war but still they go when we ask them to , even tonight our forces are on duty somewhere keeping us safe in a very frightening time on our planet , defending us from whatever darkness surrounds us .
I will leave you with two thoughts .Charities do not stop providing for those mentally or physically wounded when the bullets stop flying around , they support them and their families and families of those lost 24 hours a day 365 days a week and that simply costs money . Money raised by runners, parachutist, cake makers, walkers, knitters and anything people can do to get some money in for our charities.
and finally ...
The effect of War has devastating effects on the mental health of those involved and having suffered with anxiety myself for a number of years I do understand and felt I could imagine what it’s like. However, at an event I attended for Veterans last year there was a young lady there and she was talking about her mental health and said , I am only at peace when I am under water and there is no noise , read that again . A young woman who will carry the scars of war for the rest of her life and I wish I had got her name and could check in on her sometime, but I didn’t and cried all the way to my car that day. Hopefully she will be supported by our veterans charities Like https://veteranswithdogs.org.uk/ who I am running for tomorrow and@Veterans' Foundation who I proudly ran for in 2024 and no doubt will again .
So I run for this reason ...... I do not want the sacrifices of our forces forgotten , I want people to remember they had loved ones as we do and I want our service personnel to know there will always be people like me who will do the charity runs and remember all they gave and will continue to give . One final story I was at Curly'sBrigg Poppy run in 2024 for Veterans' Foundation giving it a go and I had Serving and ex service personnel saying thank you to me !, its lucky I run looking down as the tears just came for most of that 10k .
God bless our current and ex service personnel and We Will Not Forget You .
So tonight as you go out and have a hard earned beer or glass of wine remember who has your back tonight and every night every day and if you can spare a couple of quid donate to my Just Giving above or donate direct to the charity direct
https://veteranswithdogs.org.uk/?form=ONEWETNOSE
You can also donate direct
https://veteranswithdogs.org.uk/?form=ONEWETNOSE
Thankyou for taking the time and if you see me at a race please say hello or even a WOOF would be nice
****** Race Diary *******
Completed
1st Race - Skegness 10k - 25th January 2026 1 Hr 17 Minutes
2nd Race Oundle 10K - 1st March 2026 1Hr xx 08 Minutes
3rd Race - Run the Runway Doncaster - 21st March 2026 5.8k - 33.32
4th Race Lincoln 10k - 12th April 2026 1hr 08.30
5th Race Holkham 10k - 19th April 2026 1 hr 11mins
6th Authorpe 10k - 4th May 1hr 7 mins
To do
7th Woodhall Spa 10k - 14th June
8th Spilsby show 10k - 12th July
9th Sleaford 10k - 14th Aug
10th East Coast Classic - 13th September
11th Pride Run Hackney - 19th September