Another remarkable fundraiser is unfolding in the heat of Iraq...

Thanks go to ...

WO2 Sean McGuire

W02 Dan Ward

Sgt Marc Murphy

WO2 Davy Black

For raising £3030.51 on behalf of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards by covering the distyance of 7979km which is the distance from Basra to Iraq to Fallingbostel Germany and back, each contributing to the distance in their favoured disiplines.

The regiment also had a fun run on return to Germany a collection was also taken.

WO2 Sean McGuire came on the tour having just finished physio for a back injury.  He was looking for an activity he could do which would not aggrevate his injury and settled on rowing using a machine in the gym. 

He was talking one day (very early on) to WO2 Dan Ward and Sgt Mark Murphy (the physical training instructor) and suggested that they do a challenge together - something that would help keep him focused. One of them - they won't admit who - came up with the idea of going the distance from Basra (where we are based) to Fallingbostel, their home base in Germany (for those who don't know it is about 40 mins north of Hanover and 1hr south of Hamburg). 

Each person would contribute to the distance in their favoured discipline, Sean would row, Dan would run and Mark would cycle (he has also got to do double the distance the others are doing).  They then decided that 4000km wouldn't be enough as the intention was to do it as a daily event over the 6 months so thought they should come back again.  This makes the total distance to be covered 7979km.

Sean, Dan and Mark started their challenge on 10 Jun 08.  Every day they have pounded the streets (so to speak) and they finally have the end in sight.  It has not been all plain sailing however and the daily grind has taken the toll on all of them - but on Dan unfortunately the most and he has had to drop out from the challenge on doctors' advice.  In his place is WO2 Davy Black, a supreme racing snake whose long stride eats up the ground.

The challenge finishes in Iraq on 25 Nov 08 - they will have completed 7979km (at a rate of 52 km per day) but that is not the final curtain.  When their Regiment - The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards return to Fallingbostel, they will take part in the annual Fun Run and they intend to add the money raised at the fun run, to the money collected over the tour and present it to the Forces Children's Trust.