Private clients account handler, Jane Tutte joined the challenge with charity ABF The Soldiers Charity, to walk 100km along the WW1 frontline from Arras in France to the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.
Jane says ” I support a charity called ABF The Soldiers Charity. It was formerly known as ‘A Benevolent Fund’ which was set up in 1944 and is the National Charity of the British Army which supports soldiers, veterans and their immediate families, for life.
I was privileged to walk with some amazing people who raise a great deal of money for this charity but also, on this occasion, I walked with an ex soldier called Phillip ‘Barney’ Gillespie, an ambassador and benefactor of the charity.
Barney was a soldier in the Royal Irish Regiment and four months into his third tour in Afghanistan, whilst out on patrol, Barney stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). As a result of the explosion he lost his right leg. This didn’t stop Barney continuing with his life and has been helped along the way by the ABF The Soldiers Charity.
He also told me that he has been selected to compete in the Invictus Games for Team UK. A fantastic achievement.”
Jane has already signed up for next years challenge for the charity a 100km walk along the Normandy Beaches.