I need help…... Your Help to be precise!!

Many of you know me well enough to know that I like the occasional challenge. For those that know me even better, would be correct in saying that I have gained a pound or two since I hung up my Rugby boots along with the side effects of the Nations recent house arrest!

So, I'm off for a bike ride… a mere 302 miles, starting in Gibraltar, sauntering up the mountains of Andalucía in Southern Spain, where I face in cycling speak, Category 1 ascents totalling 8,600m which is just shy of Everest standing at 8848m, baking nicely to a crisp in temperatures of up to 30+ degrees! At 52, this event is not something I would usually consider, owing to my not being a Lycra clad Peddle Warrior and further hampered by having the aerodynamics of a house brick - but duty calls! 

The purpose of the event is to raise funds to help get British Military Veterans, who are sleeping rough on our streets or in some cases, off grid in the countryside into shelter and provide support to those who are facing tough mental challenges and are contemplating suicide. The Charity is called Alabaré who support our homeless Veterans in a unique way, by teaching them how to build their own homes, which in turn teaches them a skill and in doing so help these people integrate into society thus providing them with a future. Here is one such project covered by the Daily Telegraph - Veteran Self Build. As I touched upon earlier, the Charity also provides support to those veterans that are contemplating suicide as a way out which is sadly on the increase, and I desperately wanted to help for my own personal reasons. My link with the Charity is due to their association with an old Rugby team mate and friend of mine, ex SAS Major Ken Hames, MBE - who already has done so much for this cause over the years, but there is still much work to be done.

Why this Charity? Well, there are two bits to this. The first being that I, myself have been through tough mental challenges including depression, which as most of my friends and family know, was due to a relationship breakdown and the events that unfolded around access to my Daughter. So I can relate to the feeling of isolation and existing in what were dark empty days, never mind the nights, with no end in sight or any light at the end of what, at the time appears to be a never-ending tunnel. I am extremely fortunate and lucky to have rocks in my life, my Fiancée, my parents, friends and close work colleagues, whom I was able to lean on for help and support that guided me through the dark times. Looking back, talking, sharing thoughts, exercise as well as routine was paramount to my recovery - not to mention having a roof over my head. If I had not been blessed with this support network then I am not embarrassed to say that my life could have been very, very different and possibly a great deal shorter... Some however are not as fortunate as I.

The second part is my appreciation and gratitude of the sacrifices our Military men and women have made to provide us with the foundations to live as we do today. It’s how I have been brought up – with respect. Like most of you reading this, my grandparents played their part in WWII. In my case my Dutch Grandmother who was connected to the Dutch Resistance during the German occupation in Holland and a Nurse, which is how she met my then wounded Grandfather who served with the Royal Hampshire’s. I had always wanted to give something back, especially to those who have given so much to our country. When the call from Ken came, it all clicked in to place and it all made sense for me to support this Charity as personally, I can’t think of anything more humbling, rewarding and critically important than to help those who have given so much and are suffering as a consequence, in the here and now.

Your help is needed to achieve my aim of raising £5,000 for the Charity, but it would be mind blowing to exceed this target! Some of the money raised will be funding my participation, however I will be contributing as much as possible with the limited resources available to me. To make the task less daunting, I am breaking the fund raising down into smaller chunks, whereupon surpassing an initial £2500 milestone would see my excess hair shaved off, which has been growing at a rate of knots since deciding to take on the challenge that happened to coincide with the national lockdown! To add another twist to the story, I wanted to put to good use my excess hair, by donating it to Littleprincesses.org.uk who turn the hair into wigs for very poorly people. There will be one more sub plot that will see me shed a stone of weight - question is have I got the will power to achieve it!

As I sign off, I want to make a couple of thank you's. To those who have supported me so far – I am utterly stunned by the generosity and messages of support I have received. To the Charity for the work they undertake every single day, especially in the face of the pandemic and economic backdrop, which has made vital and much needed funds so very difficult to raise. To Ken for the invite and all his time and effort, in organising this event as well as the other charitable work he does. To my family for their support and encouragement, in particular my rock, Emma, although the children reliably inform me that she is delighted that I am away for 7 days – go figure!!!

Finally my sincere thanks to you for reading this, in particular those who donate, because no matter how small, please know and understand that your contribution is greatly appreciated and will make a massive difference to those, who once upon a time, put their mind, body and soul on the line for their country and provide us with the liberty to live as we do today.

https://www.justgiving.com/David-Perkins10.