Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

On 13 September 2009, I ran (jogged) the 10 mile course of the P Company Para Challenge in aid of Help for Heroes.  I completed the course in 1 hour 36 mins.  Photos can be seen at

http://www.myeventphoto.co..uk/event/6031/1_mile/index.html?show=ko7f0080.html

As our service personnel continue to make sacrifices in theatres of conflict worldwide, your help in supporting this charity has never been more necessary or more welcome. 

Why did I do this? – well I’m an ex soldier in late middle age, with a body that is slowly falling apart!  I guess that I should know better, but  when I consider the soldiers currently fighting in Afghanistan, crawling in the sand, dodging exploding walls and IEDs as well as enemy fire and suffering with the consequences of injury – having arms and legs blown off and experiencing life threatening injury or death, I realise that maybe my lot is not so bad.  If dragging my sorry ass around the 10 miles raises a few bob to ease that suffering and aid their recovery then it will be a worthy 10 mile detour of my own life journey!  As a retired soldier, albeit never one with aspirations to join the Parachute Regiment, I understand and appreciate the challenge that this course represents (for more info see http://www.paras10.com/) .  In addition to running in aid of Help for Heroes,  I also ran in memory of my father, Walter Stuart Hirst, late of 2 Bn Black Watch, The Parachute Regiment and The Glider Pilot Regiment.   If you have read this far then go a little further and click on the 'donate' link - no amount is too large or small - even though the event is done you can still donate - Go on......it'll make you feel good!  Thanks, Mal Hirst.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Help for Heroes gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!