I am doing a significant Memory Walk for my Dad, who recently Died of Brain Cancer at the age of 61. A former Master Chef Warrant Officer.

Background

12 years ago on the 4th June, my life changed forever.  

I was critically injured, whilst trying to give aid to a fellow soldier.  My prognosis, was that it was very unlikely I would ever walk again and less 5% chance in being able to Father children. I am an incomplete paraplegic, with pretty much a paralysed left leg, with significant neuropathy and muscle function.

2 of the best Soldiers I ever met, lost their lives that frightful day. Cpl Terry Webster and LCpl Alan Cochran.

It wasn't known whether I would survive the flight and none of the families knew, which one of us 3 was still alive, but very critical and warned that whoever it was may still not make it.

I can only imagine how horrific it was for my family but also for Terry and Alan's family, to have Armed Forces personnel come walking up the path to the house, knocking to break the awful news.

I came to learn that, my own parent's and siblings fell to their knees.

In shock and devastated, my Dad ended up walking a distance of 12 miles, wondering aimlessly, searching for answers in the clear night sky, hoping, praying. Until he came to a stop at a Cemetery and realised at that point he needed to go back home.

My Dad recently passed away due to brain cancer, after fighting like a warrior himself for 9 months.

THE CHALLENGE

I am very keen, to establish a positive outcome following the amount of trauma my Dad and my own family have incurred and find comfort in the number of people who are there to support them, us and other families who have also experienced the same struggles as they have experienced.

To honour him, my own small family and I are going to undertake a memory walk, the same walk, same distance my Dad walked that dreadful night. To raise vital funds Help for Heroes and my Daughters are going to be raising money for McMillan, so please keep an eye out for their page too.

This 12 mile route isn't going to be an easy undertaking, with a paralysed leg.

Since 2010, the furthest I have ever walked, has only been less than 10km with frequent rest stops, leg braces failing and significant amount of pain being incurred.

With the new brace, Help for Heroes and the QA Association have given me, I am committed to undertaking this charity challenge in Memory of my Father but also in Memory of all families who have suffered like mine has, through conflict or through cancer.

I aim to do the walk on the 3rd Sept, a day after what would have been my Dads 62nd birthday.

My target, I hope to raise £2k or more.

I extend the invite for you all to join us, for this significant walk in memory of my Dad, to support my girls and I or even if you wished to help set up a page of your own and join the team.

You all will be welcome, it would mean so much for my girls too, to have many people there.

#comfortinnumbers.