To mark the RAF’s centenary and to continue his 11-year tradition of raising funds for military charities, ex-Paratrooper Jeffrey Long MBE walked 100 miles for 100 years of the Royal Air Force.

The 86-year-old walked 10 miles at 10 different RAF stations, in tribute to the service’s 100^th birthday and raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund and Support Our Paras. He began his walk on 16 September at the PARAS’10 in Catterick, before heading off to 10 RAF stations before a grand finale at RAF Odiham.

Jeffrey, who raised more than £120K last year, said: “The Paras have a relationship with the RAF, they are very good to us. They give us a flight then they show us the door! It made perfect sense to me to support this wonderful charity, in the year of the RAF’s centenary as well as the Paras’ charity, of course.”

Last year Jeffrey’s 86-mile walk in recognition of his birthday, went viral thanks to comedian Jason Manford who retweeted his appeal. He also received a lifetime membership from the Royal British Legion, who was the main beneficiary. The Prime Minister Theresa May MP also recognised Jeffery’s incredible efforts with a Points of Light Award, congratulating him on his ‘long-serving support of Armed Forces charities’.

Jeffrey’s fundraising began 11 years ago when he walked 650 miles from London to Lausanne in Switzerland. Since then he has completed Liverpool to Leeds, Hadrian’s Wall and the Three Peaks Challenge, to name but a few.

Jeffrey, who served in the Army from 1950 to 1957 before leaving due to injury, admits age had forced him to slow down in recent years, and he’s not carrying the heavy packs he once did, but he remains as determined as ever to raise funds and awareness for the charities he loves.

Stephen Cooper, Director of Support our Paras, said: “We have known Jeffrey for some years at Support our Paras and he never fails to surprise us with his next charity challenge, all driven by the desire to help others less fortunate than himself. We take our hats off to you Jeffrey!”

Aaron Tillyer, regional fundraiser for the RAF Benevolent Fund, added: “Fundraisers like Jeffrey are truly inspirational. I’m bowled over by his enthusiasm to get out there and raise funds for charity.

“Supporters like Jeffrey are vital to see the welfare work the Fund carries out continue, without it we simply could not do what we do – ensuring no member of the RAF Family faces adversity alone.”

To support Jeffrey’s walk go to www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JeffreyLongMBE

“From a child I’ve always wanted not only to climb but to be at high points, a slight addiction to altitude. Saying that, it’s the view you actually take in when you’ve accomplished this.

The Matterhorn its self is a climbers dream, one of the deadliest mountains in the world, more dangerous than Everest: fact.

When we all draw a mountain as kids we all draw the Matterhorn, it’s steep edges are sublime within itself. A magical mountain to look and gaze at.

I hadn’t climbed for at least 8 years from when I left The Parachute Regiment; I had climbed all over the world including the Himalayas in India.

I had been up in the Isle of Skye doing the Inn Pinn on Christmas day with a part Cuillin Ridge Traverse when I knew I had to get back into climbing. Using this and plenty of training in Glencoe, which I now call my back garden along with the Nevis range Ben Nevis North face routes, I had training in hand.

At the same time I knew I could do this with a combined charity awareness but a solo attempt was something else.

On arrival in Switzerland seeing the Matterhorn for the first time I knew I had a strong task ahead of me.

Starting the climb at 6:00am making my way up near vertical walls, along with rock fall and a climber, whose ice axe had fallen from him just missing my head.

I made a traverse on to the North face, which seems like madness but is actually easier climbing with axes and crampons, making a summit at 11:30am. Spending far to much time at the top I realised I had to start making my way down the Hornli Ridge.

I had caught up with a French couple who were struggling to get down in time. Despite knowing helping them meant I would be delayed and would be coming down in darkness, I stopped to help them abseil to the solvey hut and a helicopter was called for their extraction.

I continued down the mountain and then darkness hit me at 7:30pm. Now exhausted and having to set up at least 20 belay pitches in darkness was a task within itself. I finally reached the bottom wall at 9pm.

With determination and a good mind set you can accomplish your dream and knowing at the same time you’re doing something not only for yourself but for lots of different people.”

Cliff took on the challenge of the Matterhorn solo in September. You can still donate towards his fundraising page by clicking here.

Play today and you could win a new limited edition Classic 500 ‘Pegasus’ worth £4,999, kindly donated by Royal Enfield.

With a strictly limited edition of 1000 globally, only 190 units are available in the UK.  They are expected to sell out within days so this could be your last chance to own one.

Royal Enfield, the oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, launches the Classic 500 ‘Pegasus’ limited edition motorcycle on 1 July, inspired by the legendary RE/WD Flying Flea 125 motorcycle manufactured at Royal Enfield’s underground facility in Westwood, UK, during World War Two. The rugged Flying Flea saw service at D-Day and the airborne operations at Arnhem. This is your chance to own a piece of motorcycle and military history.

Not only will you have the chance to win this amazing motorcycle, but every £2 raffle ticket will go to support our serving soldiers and families and those members and families of The Parachute Regiment affected either physically, or psychologically by recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Each entry costs just £2 and can really make a difference to soldiers’ lives. It’s easy to enter at www.raffleplayer.com/supportourparas

The draw for this Classic 500 Pegasus will take place on Friday 21 September 2018, as we commemorate the 74^th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem 1944.

About Royal Enfield:

The oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the mid-sized motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic bikes. With its new manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield is able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. With more than 50% growth every year for the last 5 years, Royal Enfield is fast becoming a very important player in the global mid-size motorcycle market and is working towards re-inventing this space with motorcycles that are evocative and engaging and great fun to ride. Royal Enfield’s product line‐up in India includes the Bullet, Classic and Thunderbird models in 350 and 500cc displacement along with Continental GT 535cc café racer and the purpose-built Himalayan powered by the new LS410 engine. Royal Enfield operates through 17 company-operated stores and 705+ dealers in all major cities and towns in India, and exports to over 50 countries across the world including the USA, UK, several European and Latin American countries, as well as the Middle East and South-East Asia. Royal Enfield also organizes and supports many motorcycling events and rides globally, more prominently the Rider Mania – an annual gathering of Royal Enfield riders from all over the world to the lovely beaches of Goa, and the Himalayan Odyssey, the most arduous motorcycle ride over some of the toughest roads and highest mountain passes in the Himalayas. Royal Enfield also conducts the popular ‘One Ride’ where people around the world ride out on their motorcycles on the first Sunday of April.

To know more about Royal Enfield, the motorcycles, marquee rides and other initiatives, visit:
http://royalenfield.com

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