Thorold Youngman-Sullivan
Thorold's Wellington2Waterloo Challenge
Fundraising for The Colonel's Fund Grenadier Guards
Story
On 24-27 Sep 13, I'm bicycling 232 miles from Wellington Barracks, London to Waterloo in Belgium in aid of The Colonel's Fund, Grenadier Guards which has been raising money since 2007 in order to provide support to Grenadiers who have been seriously injured in Afghanistan, and to the families of those who have been killed. Since 2007, The Grenadiers have carried out 3 tours in Helmand Province and have lost 15 members of the Regiment who were killed in action. Whilst this is a headline-catching statistic, the Regiment has also sustained a significant number of battle casualties, many suffering life changing injuries. And of course, there remains the unquantifiable number of young men who will have suffered mentally and who will need our support in the future. It was with with the aim of supporting the surviving, but hurt, Grenadiers that The Colonel's Fund was set up.
Having met and served with many of those who need our support, I ask you to dig deep. I can assure you that I will not don lycra again and any contribution, however small, will make a difference - it all adds up and will take us one step nearer to reaching our target and ensure that the Colonel's Fund is well placed going forward to continue to support Grenadiers in need.
Below is a message from HRH Prince Philip, Colonel, Grenadier Guards which succinctly explains what we are trying to do for The Colonel's Fund:
"One of the most valuable features of the regimental system is the sense of comradeship which it creates between present and past members of the Regiment, and with all their families and friends. It is always there, but, when the need arises, it can be turned into tangible and appropriate support.
The'Wellington to Waterloo Bicycle Ride', and the fund-raising events surrounding it, are intended to convert that sense of comradeship into a practical regimental response to the severe stresses suffered by so many of its members, and to provide practical help for the bereaved families of those who have been killed in action, and for those who have suffered serious injury in recent operations. I hope you will feel able to support this novel fund-raising event."
If you would like to see more information about The Colonel's Fund, Grenadier Guards, please go to www.grengds.com and click on The Colonel's Fund tab.
As you might imagine, as a biking novice, completing this bike ride is a major challenge. So, I NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Please take time to consider and I very much hope you can support those who have sacrificed so much and continue to need our help.
With warm regards
Thorold