Amazing supporters like you have raised £150 in their previous virtual challenges, but why not race ahead of the rest?

Remember, by running 1 Mile a Day in November you will be providing life changing support for veterans like Rob.

Rob’s military career spanned 25 years, before his long-term battles with depression and PTSD brought it to an unexpected close. Despite declaring himself “not a natural runner”, he first took it up back when training for the Army. Many years later, he would find himself taking on the “toughest, highest and coldest” running challenges possible: the Marathon des Sables, the Everest Marathon and the North Pole Marathon.

“I’m really not a natural runner. I’ve had to work at it. But I have also grown to love it. It’s not just amazing for physical health and fitness; it’s amazing for mental health and fitness too. That’s why I think this fundraising challenge is a fantastic one. Yes, it’s about raising money for an incredible cause, so that Help for Heroes can continue supporting veterans like myself – but it’s also going to get supporters out there improving their own physical and mental health. If you’re not a runner already, this is a great reason to try it and discover what it can do for you. It has become such a major part of my life, that it was instrumental in my recovery from a broken neck in 2020 – I was itching to get back to it!”

The physical benefits of running are well-known; but Rob says it’s the endorphin release that exercising gives you that really helps clear your mind and sets you up for the day.

“Going for a gentle jog in the outdoors is perfect if you need some ‘me time’, or even better with a friend. And if you really get into it and decide you want to train harder, that’s where the mental ‘fitness’ comes in. Running can be hard, and having that battle with yourself to keep going is you saying, ‘I’m not giving up’ – mental resilience like this is such an important life skill.”