Veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress is commemorating Remembrance Weekend this year with a unique endurance event across Hampshire.
Race to Remember is an event for those who wish to test their endurance, regardless of their fitness level, while raising vital funds for veterans’ mental health. Participants can choose from a 76km ultramarathon and a 36km run or walk.
The ultramarathon starts in Aldershot – home of the British Army. From there, runners head south through the picturesque South Downs National Park. All other distances start in Petersfield, with everyone racing to Portsmouth, the home of the Royal Navy. All participants will cross the finish line in the city’s historic dockyard beside the Navy’s flagship HMS Victory.
The charity was founded at the end of the First World War to support those who returned from the front line with shell shock, traumatised by what they had experienced in combat.
Today, thousands of veterans across the UK who served in conflicts spanning the Second World War to Afghanistan depend on Combat Stress’ specialist mental health services to rebuild their lives.
The charity is heavily dependent on public donations. The money raised by Race to Remember will enable the charity to continue delivering its lifechanging treatment and support to former servicemen and women.
Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Combat Stress, said: “It would be fantastic to see as many people as possible sign up to take part in Race to Remember. It’s the perfect opportunity to show your support for former servicemen and women while really putting your physical endurance to the test.
“Combat Stress provides unique lifechanging, and often life-saving, support to veterans in the UK with complex mental health problems. The need for our specialist services remains critical, so having the support of the public is vital to ensure we can continue being there to empower veterans, rebuild families and save lives.”
Registration fees for the event are set according to the chosen distance, with £76 for the ultramarathon and £36 for the 36kms
Participants are also encouraged to try to raise as much as they can in sponsorship, with rewards on offer for hitting various fundraising milestones. To find out more and to register, visit: https://events.combatstress.org.uk/event/racetoremember
