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.
Karen McCormack is a trustee and volunteer at the Sevington Victorian Project in Grittleton, a Victorian school room that brings the Victorian era alive for school groups from around the area. The project is currently raising funds to improve their cloakroom facilities and pathways to make visiting the school easier for people with limited mobility. As part of the fundraising Karen had entered the project into the Aviva Community Fund Competition for 2017.
Sarah Gillies, as Akela of 2nd Saltash Cub pack joined Beaver and Cub Scouts from 2nd Saltash to take part in the BBC Countryfile Ramble to raise money for BBC Children in Need. The group of young people, their parents, pet dogs and leaders set off along the pathways and bridleways of Saltash taking in the sites around the town and surrounding countryside. The Beavers and Cubs achieved elements of a number of their activity and challenge badges whilst having fun and raising funds for Children in Need.