With 2024 fast approaching it's time to set my sights on a new challenge. One that gives me total focus and discipline so I have decided to tackle my first ultra challenge. In just under 6 months, I will be participating in the Isle of Wight (IOW) Ultramarathon which is a stunning landscape and coastal route around the island. The race consists of 66 miles (106km for all you metric folk out there) and 1600m in elevation.

Taking on a challenge of this stature presents an opportunity to do some good and support a charitable cause so I have decided to run in aid of The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), also known as The Soldiers' Charity. Their primary focus is to provide vital support to soldiers, veterans and their families in times of need, something which I am a huge advocate for.

For those who know me relatively well, will know that I was a military brat who spent the vast majority of my childhood relocating between the UK and Germany because of my Dad's 22 year tenure in the military as a Royal Military Policeman. My late uncle, Darren, also served in the military as an infantryman for the Prince of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR). Both of which were deployed to war on multiple occasions during their service. I have further family members who served like my Uncle Steven and still serve such as my brother, Arran and cousin, Bradley. For these reasons, the Army is something I will always have a strong affiliation with and is the driving force behind me supporting this charity.

The aftermath and issues that a soldier can suffer due to their experiences is overwhelming, whether it be physical or mental but I wanted to focus on the mental aspect because this something which has directly affected me and people which I love. In July 2020, I lost my Uncle Darren who will always be a hero to me and he left behind a beautiful family. Darren had a long history and battle with his mental health which stemmed from childhood and the Army provided stability as well as purpose when he needed it most, not taking into account some of the experience he endured in combat. Unfortunately, his service did not end the way he wanted and he was medically discharged which further contributed to the deterioration of his mental health and eventually his death. I believe he suffered institutionalisation of the military because it helped him to develop structure, discipline, confidence and a sense of teamwork which is almost impossible to replicate in other professions. The best version of Darren was when he was a solider and I think anyone that knew him would agree he was in his element, especially those which he served alongside.

In soldiers, PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) is something that needs more attention and awareness. A recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry estimates the rate of PTSD among UK veterans of all conflicts to be 7.4% which is almost double that of the general public.

The rate of PTSD is even higher for veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Among those who’d deployed to the conflicts, the rate of PTSD was 9%. For veterans who deployed to those war zones in a combat role, 17% reported symptoms of PTSD and 30% were predicted to develop a mental health condition.

Any amount which you can donate will directly help soldiers and veterans who suffer from these harsh experiences and/or crippling conditions. It also goes to the bereaved families who  are forever grieving and require support for obvious reasons. It goes without saying but your generosity is sincerely and truly appreciated, especially as we are experiencing this exceptionally difficult cost of living crisis.

Thank you for reading.