"Caroline Clarke?  Running?"  I hear you say!  Yes, yes . . . it's true!

 

Well it's been a while since I've done something for charity, having started at an early age with a sponsored swim for Great Ormond Street Hospital, abseiling down a building in Guildford for Cancer, completing the assault course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for the Blind, running the streets of Marlow for a local hospital and more recently, organising a very successful clothes swap evening in aid of Help for Heroes!

 

As many of you will be aware, I am not the bravest of people or indeed, the most sporty, but most of you will know that I have always had a real passion for the military.  Every week I take part in British Military Fitness classes in Stoke Park, Guildford.  The camaraderie is fantastic and getting every part of your body wet and muddy is just part of the enjoyment!  You feel a great sense of satisfaction at the end of each class.

 

On Saturday 27th March 2010, I, and a friend, have officially registered to take part in a Military 5K Off-Road Obstacle Course organised by British Military Fitness themselves.  It is being held on a private estate near Redhill in Surrey.  Read on to hear what they have to say about the event:

 

"The Race

Our Military Series is tough. All of our courses are wet, muddy and challenging. There are obstacles, hills, trees and ditches. You will get dirty, and we can guarantee that your trainers will never look the same again."

 

I have entered this event, not only for a personal sense of achievment and to do something "a bit out of the ordinary", but also to raise money for charity.

 

My charity of choice is Combat Stress.  So many young men and women are sent out to war and we, back at home, constantly think of them fighting for our country.  We are reminded on a daily basis of the great work that they do, but it is when they return to the UK, from their tour, that they are often forgotten.  Just because they have been lucky enough to come back alive, without any physical scars to show, doesn't mean that they have not been scared mentally.  Please read the following piece of text telling us the importance of Combat Stress and why it exists:

 

"Combat Stress is the leading charity specialising in the care of British Veterans who have been profoundly traumatised by harrowing experiences during their Service career.

Many Veterans leave the Armed Forces with highly debilitating conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety disorders. Their problems can remain masked for years, and they and their families may be struggling to deal with matters at home. Combat Stress is able to provide two integrated services to meet Veterans' needs:

-Dedicated, short-stay clinical treatment
-Community outreach

We are receiving 1,000+ new referrals a year – and already have more than 4,300 ex-Service men and women in our care.   

Combat Stress looks after Veterans of every campaign that British Forces have been involved in since the Second World War.  This includes over 400 of recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan."

 

If you feel able to donate any amount, however small, to this very worthwhile cause, I, and Combat Stress, would be extremely grateful. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 

I look forward to sharing my before and after photos!

 

Until then, I send my love, thanks and best wishes to you all,

 

Caroline

xxxx