ENDURANCE TEST WILL RAISE CHARITY CASH
Report by Fiona Dalziel CARNOUSTIE lady Lorna Butler is taking part in a gruelling challenge for charity all in the name of love.
Lorna, who now resides in Wigan, is one of 23 Royal Marine wives, girlfriends and fiances who will be getting cold, wet, and muddy on October 12, taking on the Seven-Mile Commando Challenge to raise money for the charity HELP for HEROES, (www.helpforheroes.org.uk), which is backed by the Army Benevolent Fund, the Army's own charity
Lorna told the Guide & Gazette: "We will be running the Challenge in memory of Marine Jamie Hutton from 42 Commando who recently died in a training exercise, and Trooper Robert Pearson, who died in Afghanistan this year.
"I myself am taking part because my boyfriend was in Afghanistan last year and was seriously injured after being shot in the thigh.
"He is still receiving treatment at Headley Court in Surrey, a facility where servicemen and women are given training and therapy to help with their rehabilitation. This facility is a prime example of how money raised through Help for Heroes actually does make a difference."
Lorna's boyfriend, Paul Trickett, a Marine, who was formerly based with 45 Commando in Arbroath.
Lorna went on to say, "I was pregnant when Paul was shot, and it was an extremely testing time for us both. Thankfully he arrived home safely and our daughter Maya was born in May.
"I am not really an outdoor sports type of person, I prefer being inside at the gym, but I feel a real need to get involved with this and give something back to Help for Heroes and Headley Court, as Paul is getting so much help from them."
The Royal Marine Commando Challenge is the civilian fund-raising version of the Royal Marines Endurance Course - one of the four punishing Commando tests each recruit must endure to complete their training. It has been recognised internationally as part of one of the toughest military training regimes in the world.
There are two different Commando Challenges held on consecutive days - the three-mile fun challenge, and then the seven-mile endurance challenge on the second day.
Lorna and her friends will be taking part in the seven-mile challenge, which consists of a two-mile run (mostly uphill) to the course, then through three miles of fully and partially submerged tunnels to be waded or crawled through in the dark. Then it will be on to a black bog and a chest-deep pool of water you must wade through, followed by a two-mile run to the finish line.
Lorna commented: "The entire course is located on Woodbury Common in Devon which is 99.9 per cent hills and moor-like terrain.
"I have been told that there will be the most horrendous mud I will ever see. Paul is joking with me that I should be able to complete the course in a quicker time than he did it, as the Marines do this carrying all their kit, and we just need to drag ourselves around it!"
You can find out more about the Commando Challenge by visiting their official website: www.commandochallenge.co.uk
And to make a donation to Lorna's fund-raising, visit: www.justgiving.com/team_essence
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Friday 18 May 2012
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