JIM'S FIVE GO CRAZY IN 2014.
During the year 2014 I will be undertaking 5 endurance events to raise money for 2 charities that are very important to me. The charities are Saracen's Sport Foundation and Bi-Polar UK and the events arer listed below.
THE CHARITIES.
Saracen's Sport Foundation.
The Saracens Sport Foundation’s mission is to inspire communities and change lives through the power of sport.
Supported by the Saracens brand, professional players and high quality staff, we are able to provide opportunities for children, young people and adults to lead active, healthy lifestyles.
Since our establishment in 2000 we have grown significantly, with 10 full time staff and 30 part time coaches now working with us to harness the power of sport and bring about positive change. Not only has this has allowed us increase the scope of our projects, but we are also able to respond more innovatively to the needs of our communities. Through our core pillars of sports development, health & wellbeing, social inclusion and education & training we engage with almost 70,000 unique participants annually.
Get involved
There are many ways for you to support the work of the Saracens Sport Foundation, including volunteering opportunities and great fundraising challenges. For more information on how you can get involved call us on 01707 285026 or email info.foundationsaracens@saracens.net
Donate now
Donate now securely through justgiving.com and help to support the work of the Saracens Sport Foundation.
Bi-Polar UK
Bipolar UK is the national charity dedicated to supporting individuals with the much misunderstood and devastating condition of bipolar, their families and carers.
We provide a range of services to enable people affected by bipolar and associated illnesses to take control of their lives.
Each year we reach out to and support over 65,000 individuals through our services andinformation/advice publications.
We also work in partnership with research organisations and campaign for new developments to tackle key issues.
We believe the key to coping with bipolar is an early diagnosis, acceptance of the illness and adapting your lifestyle
Management of the illness can be achieved through strategies involving medication, health care, therapy and self management.
We work to ensure all individuals with bipolar can manage their illness and lead independent lives. We endorse the principles of equality and diversity in all our activities.
With the amazing support of our staff team, volunteers, members, service users, supporters and partnering organisations we all work to support individuals affected by bipolar.
Victoria Charity Centre
11 Belgrave Road
London
SW1V 1RB
Tel: 020 7931 6480
Fax: 020 7931 6481
info@bipolaruk.org.uk
THE EVENTS.
I will be completing each event in military uniform carrying a back pack. I will be attempting to do each event in as quickest time as possible by Tabbing. This is a form of speed marching(TAB= Tactical Advance To Battle).
BRIGHTON HALF MARATHON 16/02/14
A cheeky 13+ miles to get the ball rolling. I will be running this event with my support team Sara Fakhro.
For details see www.brightonhalfmarathon.com
PARA 10 COLCHESTER 18/05/14
Founded by WO1 JJ Wilson The PARAS’10 was hosted by The Parachute Regiment in Aldershot 1982 - 1993. Since the Paras left Aldershot in 1993, this legendary event was dormant until it was revived by Major Sam McGrath in 2008 in Catterick, N.Yorkshire. Due to its success in Catterick the race was taken to the home of 16 Air Assault Brigade in Colchester in 2012 and will be introduced in Aldershot, home of The Paras in the 70s and 80s in Mar 2013. It is regarded as The Ultimate 10 Mile Endurance Race and is managed by the Parachute Regiment Charity and serving soldiers of the Parachute Regiment. The primary aim of raising funds for The Parachute Regiment Charity whilst providing a challenging and enjoyable event remains key to the events success.
Each event can be competed as a run or carrying 35lbs over 10 miles of undulating military land.
For those seeking an even tougher race: The Parachute Regiment challenges you to attempt the 10 Mile 'P' Company Cross Country Route, carrying a bergen (rucksack) weighing 35lb (excluding food water) and wearing long trousers with ‘military style’ boots. Competitors rucksacks will be weighed before and after the race, by race officials. The PARAS’10 TAB is open to individuals and teams of 4 (With the first 3 runners to count). As a guide the Paratroopers P Company Selection cut off time is 1 hr 50 minutes (you will be given up to 3hrs if needed). This is the event I will be entering.
FOR MORE INFO WWW.PARAS10.COM
THE SPECIAL FORCES EXPERIENCE.
This is 3 events over 3 weekends. I will be completing all the events.
The events have been organised by a small cadre of Ex-Special Forces soldiers designed to challenge participants physically and mentally. The 3 events replicate the 3 main test events incorporated into the fitness and navigation phase of Special Forces Selection. These events are:
FORCE 10 31/05/14
‘Force10’ is a 10 mile route which we have chosen to re-create a CFT (Combat Fitness Test). A CFT as the name suggests is a test in which all soldiers have to undertake once a year in their service as evidence they are fit and able enough to cover ground fully laden with all their kit required to eat, sleep and fight. This is also required as one of the initial tests of UKSF selection and is the base level requirement for any potential UKSF soldier to enter onto selection.
The route for this event runs across the Clwydian Range in North Wales. It forms part of the Offa’s Dyke path. This particular section has been chosen by the DS (Directing Staff) for its undulating hill paths that are easy to navigate over to enable you to concentrate more on the physical rather than navigational aspect.
THE FAN DANCE 07/06/14
This is a 24km route march in the Brecon Beacons which is infamous within the ranks of all UKSF soldiers. It is now over 50 years old and still today forms the first major hurdle on Selection and is a major indicator of whether a potential UKSF soldier has the physical and mental determination to complete it within the cut off time set by the D.S (Directing Staff).
The route starts and finishes at The Storey Arms Outdoor Education Centre and ascends Pen y Fan which is 2,907 feet (886 m…). The turn round point is at Torpantau where candidates will have to quickly turn round then return using the same route back up and over Pen y Fan via a very steep path known as Jacobs Ladder.
POINT TO POINT ENDURANCE MARCH 14/06/14
The ultimate test of your physical determination and personal navigational skills – This 28km navigational “Point to Point” exercise is conducted in the Brecon Beacons and is the 3rd event in The SF Experience series.This event starts and finishes at Beacons Reservoir, Grid Reference 98791802, 1:50,000 Map No 160 / 1:25,000 Map OL12. Interim checkpoints for this event will be communicated to those taking part on the day of the event. Loadstone Candidates who have successfully completed weeks 1 and 2 within the Loadstone targets and who complete this 3rd event within the cut off time set by DS will be awarded the coveted black-ribbon Loadstone Medal.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS AND PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THE CHARITIES.
Kndest regards,
Jim Maskell
