Commandos charity trek raises over £42 k

A TEAM of commandos have raised over £42,000 for numerous charities after completing their recent speed march from John O’Groats to Lands End. The team of 17 veteran Royal Marines Commandos passed through Sanquhar, Thornhill, Dumfries, Annan and Gretna on their yomp south earlier this month as they headed to the border. Covering 925 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End continuously over 8 days carrying an additional 20 lbs each to raise money for charities Cancer Research UK, Papyrus (prevention of young suicide), Royal Marines Charity, Alzheimer’s Society and Combat Stress - that have supported or affected all of them in some way. Explaining more veteran Mark Gordon who organised the march south said : “Firstly, we wanted to raise as much money as possible for the chosen charities. Moreover, for me and every member of the team – whether actively running or as part of the support crew – it’s about service to wider society. That does not stop when leaving the Armed Forces. We are demonstrating the value of the Veteran community, their mindset, whilst epitomising the importance of keeping fit and healthy and proactively maintaining one’s physical health and mental wellbeing. “During the intense training, organisation and planning over the past months, we’ve rediscovered shared bonds and it’s really made a positive difference to us all. As a team where the average age is 49, we’re keen on proving that ‘It’s Still a State of Mind’." Mark and the team completed their journey to Lands End on November 8 and in the process raised £42,137 for their chosen charities, Mark added: "The team kept on track and on plan, demonstrating cheerfulness through adversity, fortitude and determination. The underlying principles driving this project: service, Commando mindset, importance of health and physical fitness, family, and the enormous potential of the Veteran Community - not least in support of national security in times of crisis - are being demonstrated in abundance. "The British public have shown huge support for this project since it started, and we are all enormously grateful."