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.

Andrew is raising money for six charities: 

- 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 Vililage Hall  supporting local individuals and groups in need.

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

La Folia brings together instrumentalists, singers, actors, dancers, visual artists and writers to create new music, original projects and ground-breaking performances.  It provides opportunities for writers and performers of all ages and abilities to work alongside professionals to realise their potential.  The charity has a long history of creating large-scale projects and has developed a programme which has gained a reputation for innovation and best practice both in mainstream and special education.  

Catherine and I have been working on a long-term music project with La Folia and Furze Platt Senior School in Maidenhead, where our late daughter, Katie, was an inspirational head of music until her death, from Secondary Breast Cancer, in May 2018.  We only discovered the extent of her influence after her death by reading the book of condolences and attending a memorial concert for her.  Here are just 2 examples of the impact she had:

• “I don’t know if she ever knew how inspiring she was and still is towards me.  She encouraged us all and made a huge impact on my confidence.  She taught me to live life to the fullest and never give up on my dreams "

• .“Thank you for everything you have done for me throughout the years I have been at Furze Platt.  I want to make you proud, as you were one of the people who had faith in me.  You are a truly inspirational person.  Your enthusiasm and creativity is amazing and you always strive for perfection”.

La Folia musicians have already spent a day at Furze Platt. We are determined to help the school build on Katie's legacy by providing more  creative and performance opportunities for musicians and non-musicians alike, including SEN students, alike both in the school and, ultimately, in the wider community once things return to something resembling normal.  Please support us in this endeavour.