P Battery (The Dragon Troop) are establishing a charity event that marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day while raising money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity.

This event starts on VE Day on Friday 8th May and finishes on Sunday 17th May. During this 10-day period, 10 members of the Battery will be running 7.5km every day to represent the 75th anniversary of VE Day. The other members of the Battery will collectively run, walk or tab 1195km to add up to a total of 1945km, symbolising the final year of the Second World War. All distances will be tracked on the Strava app – cheating is impossible!

VE Day is celebrated annually as the day that the Allies accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany on Tuesday 8th May 1945, marking the end of the European part of the Second World War in Europe almost six years after it started with Hitler's invasion of Poland in September 1939. On the first VE Day Princess Elizabeth (now HM Queen Elizabeth II) and Princess Margaret were allowed out of Buckingham Palace by their parents, the King and Queen, to wander among the celebrating crowds.

SSAFA is a charity founded in 1885 that provides lifelong support to current service personnel and veterans from the British Armed Forces and their families and dependants. Anyone who is now serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force is eligible for help from SSAFA. Their network of 5000 trained volunteers provide a range of support – financial, practical and emotional – to support service personnel and veterans, ensuring their independence and dignity are protected at all times.