Jim Murphy
Jim's page
Fundraising for Army Benevolent Fund
Story
I recently met with some British soldiers who were injured in Afghanistan. I decided there and then that I should do something outside of politics to support them. And that's why I'm running my first ever marathon to support the Army Benevolent Fund's 'Wounded to Work' project. The ABF are one of the three big Service charities helping current and former members of the British Army.
The ABF aims never to turn away a single member of the Army family who turns to them for help. The aim of the Work project is to ensure that long-term sick soldiers, who have risked everything for their country, can secure alternative employment if they are no longer to serve in the Army.
According to the ABF, the majority of these soldiers come from the junior ranks of the infantry and have had the least opportunity to acquire transferable skills. The daunting prospect of returning to the civilian world is further intensified by the impact of their new condition; sudden disablement, such as the loss of a limb, typically incurs a profound loss of confidence and self-esteem. The ABF's new 'Wounded to Work' project can help so many who have a right to support.
To achieve this, the ABF has to raise £1.5 million, and that is where you and my 26 miles can come in. I know that you may be inundated with requests for support. But as the public profile of the Afghanistan campaign reduces as our Forces end their combat role, it is essential that we continue to try to support Service charities. Many of those who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan will need our support for many years to come.
I have started my training schedule, I am hoping that the marathon is easier to run than to train for. I have read all the training routines and diet advice there is, and I’m working through the old football injuries which tell my creaking body that enough is enough.
If you want to make a donation to ABF and sponsor my marathon I would be hugely grateful. You can find out more about the Army Benevolent Fund including the moving personal testimonies of the soldiers they support at http://www.soldierscharity.org/need-our-help/who-we-help/.
Thank you for taking time to read my appeal. I hope you will consider giving to the ABF and finding out more about their work.