The Final Push

With less than two weeks until H Hour (0600hrs Tuesday 1st August 2023) a number of meetings and presentations over two days were arranged in the capital city. The first day started with a presentation held within RAF Northolt at my spiritual home British Forces Post Office. I was met by WO1 Paul Caveill and escorted around the now mainly automated shop floor by the head of BFPO Andy Wright. Both soldiers I have served with in the past and it was great to catch up with military and civilian staff. I then delivered an Enduro214 presentation, finishing with a Q&A session. Hopefully, through their connections, the event can reach a wider audience via Royal Mail and Parcel Force. A mail shot is being arranged to every Forces Post Office around the world, making the Enduro214 message global. Shown inset, a photograph from the visit. There is a famous quote. A soldier will march an extra day on a days rations but will march for a week just on one letter from home!

I then departed on the tube for a meeting with the CEO of Patron Capital, Keith Breslauer. Not only does he manage a leading investment organisation, but he is an accomplished mountaineer and alpinist and a trustee for the Royal Marines Charity, having been directly involved in a number of their endurance events. We are hoping to plan a cocktail party post event, generously organised by Keith with a select audience to raise the profile for Combat Stress, and potentially draw in more direct support.

The second day was equally busy with a number of flyer drops across London killing time before meeting up with the Minister of State for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer. I have the greatest respect for Johnny, a former 29 Commando Officer having completed 3 tours of Afghanistan. I read his book We Were Warriors a number of years ago whilst still serving, and started to follow his parliamentary career ever since. I have met a number of MPs and councillors over the years, but I have never met a bloke who is genuinely passionate about looking after our veterans. After a fifteen minute chat in the Commons, I handed out a couple of Wainwright beers for him and his wife to enjoy during down time, and was humbled that he started following me on Strava. I can’t think of a more powerful and important MP to be in a position to support the event and assist Combat Stress with all they are trying to achieve.

Finally, I walked around the building and entered the House of Lords as a judge for this years Soldiering on Awards. I met so many inspiring potential award winners, and managed to speak with numerous businesses that are generously supporting these national awards. Combat Stress has one of its own, Mrs Khumi Tonsing Burton up for this years Life Time Achievement Award, the same award I was fortunate to win last year. Fingers crossed its two in a row!

All that is left to do now is travel back to the Lakes next week to deploy all the replen stash buckets into the hills dotted around the 600km route ready to start this epic endurance challenge starting on the 1st August 2023. If you haven’t done so already, please share or donate and help raise awareness and funds for the UKs leading veteran’s mental health charity. I may see some of you on the hill (bring haribos), onwards and upwards!