Inspired by Captain/Colonel Tom Moore, Andrew Johnston, who
spent 20 years in the Army, serving in the Coldstream Guards, has wheeled the 26 miles 385 yards of the marathon distance in his 10 yard-long kitchen/family room.  He has wheeled 4615 lengths of the
kitchen/family room to achieve the marathon distance at the rate of 100 lengths of the room or 1,000 yards per day.  He started his challenge on 21^st April, the Queen’s 94^th birthday and reached the marathon distance on 6^th June, the 76^th anniversary of D-Day. 

Andrew was discharged for medical reasons in 1996, having
contracted Multiple Sclerosis, the first symptoms of which manifested
themselves towards the end of a demanding operational tour of Bosnia during the civil war there.  He has been dependent on a wheelchair since March 1995.  In January 2018, he contracted flu and pneumonia at the same time, spending five days in Salisbury District Hospital ICU and just over two weeks recuperating and rehabilitating on the Spinal Unit. 
This episode caused significant weight and muscle loss, increased MS
related fatigue and some residual breathing difficulties.

Having completed his marathon, Andrew has not stopped there.  He is continuing his challenge for another week, wheeling a further 665 lengths, to clock up 30 miles when he finishes on Saturday 13^th June, the Queen’s official birthday, traditionally the day that the Trooping the Colour is held.  Thirty five years’ ago on the equivalent weekend in 1985, Andrew played a central role in the key moments of the ceremony.  In his role as Subaltern of the Escort, he took temporary command of the Escort to the Colour as it marched forward to collect the colour and then trooped it through the ranks of the other 7 Guards.  As there is no ceremony this year, going the extra miles is his own Royal Salute to the Queen.

 This page is linked to the MajorAndysMarathon team page as he is seeking to raise money for six charities.  They are: 

- NHS Charities together; 

- Combat Stress, the veterans’ mental health charity 

- Wessex MS Therapy Centre, Warminster, Wiltshire; 

- La Folia, a Salisbury-based music charity;  

Racing Welfare;

- Motcombe Village Hall, supporting local individuals and groups in need.

Please consider supporting one or more of these
charities, the NHS charities and one other perhaps?

through 3 charity race meetings at Wincanton racecourse, with the help of many people.  I have a nephew still serving who has served one tor in Iraq and 3 tours in Afghanistan.  veterans from these campaigns have already sought help from Combat Stress and there will be many more to come.  I am also aware of one person who served under my command in Bosnia during the civil war in 1993/94 who has sought the charity's help.  The funding challenges facing Combat Stress have been well publicised this year.  Veterans of all ages, from all Services who are reliant support from the charity need help more than ever during this time of lockdown.  Please help us to help them.

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