On November 21, moneycorp will be once again hosting a day for ‘Support Our Paras’, which is now in its third year. The day involves a number of injured Paras pairing up with moneycorp dealers.
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Red Devils Tandem Skydive
To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of Arnhem, we are offering you the chance to skydive with the World famous Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team.
The Team, made up of serving members of The Parachute Regiment, are the Army’s official parachute display teams and can be seen at various events across the country throughout the year. Every member of the team has served a minimum of three years in a Parachute Regiment Battalion and has taken part in at least one operational tour of duty in either: Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and/or Afghanistan.
This year, we are inviting you to join us on 29 August 2019 in Salisbury for an experience like no other.
The jump itself will cost £300, but we are offering supporters the chance to pay just £100 towards the jump and we will cover the rest. All we ask in return is that you raise a minimum of £500 sponsorship* for the charity.
For more information, get in touch on secretary@supportourparas.org
To book online visit: clickandjump.co.uk/dropzones/red-devils-salisbury
Or book over the phone: 0845 60 888 44
*sponsorship target must be reached at least one month before you are due to jump, otherwise you may be required to pay your own jump fee.
Peggy Paddle 75
Two brothers, David and Colin Richardson, both former members of The Parachute Regiment, paddled their boat, a WW2 copy folding kayak (TONGA TWO), 100NM from Portsmouth Harbour to Pegasus Bridge, Benouville, Normandy on 05-06 June 2019, in support of The Parachute Regiment Charity. You can support them here https://mydonate.bt.com/events/peggypaddle
Having served in the 1st and 2nd Battalions around the globe, often in the same operational theatre at the same time, the Richardson Brothers wanted to to continue to contribute to the wider Parachute Regiment family, ensuring that those members and their families affected by recent and not so recent operations can continue to get the vital support they require and deserve.
Colin & David set off at 0400 from Portsmouth Harbour on 5 June 2019 with their 6 man support crew getting ready for the journey ahead.
Their support boat SEALEGS IV and rescue zodiac were manned by ardent mariners who were all up for the challenge of supporting these brothers on their challenge.
Colin said, “The people of Normandy have pulled out all the stops to assist us and Madame Arlette Gondree has marshalled support from the Mayor of Benouville and the Harbour Master and his team at Ouistreham.”
We are pleased to report that Colin & David made it to Pegasus Bridge at 1201hrs on 6 June, having completed the crossing in just 30hrs 27mins.
A huge well done from the team at SUPPORT OUR PARAS!
PARA on top of the World
On Thursday 23 May 2019, ex-PARA Martin Hewitt reached the summit of the World’s highest mountain, Mount Everest.
Martin is part of the Adaptive Grand Slam team who are attempting to become the first disabled team to climb the 7 highest peaks in the World as well as reaching the North and South Poles. The team have learnt to climb using modified techniques and equipment in order to take on the world’s most challenging mountains. This May, it was time to conquer Everest.
As well as reaching the summit, the team had hoped to raise £1 for every metre the mountain is high. They still have a way to go towards their target, but you can sponsor them here.
The Everest team first attempted to reach the summit in 2012 with Walking With The Wounded. Disappointingly the expedition was called off due to bad weather and extreme danger on the slopes but the team were hopeful for better conditions this year.
Joining Martin for most of the expedition was another ex-PARA, Terry Byrne. Martin & Terry were both wounded on operations in Afghanistan whilst serving with The Parachute Regiment. Unfortunately Terry began struggling with his injury and despite upping his medication to help with inflammation and pain, the decision was made for him to return home after he was unable to wear his prosthetic leg. This came after two weeks of Terry dealing with the pain and despite him knowing it was the best decision, it was a bitter pill to swallow considering the training and dedication he had put in for this attempt.
We are sure that Terry will be joining us when we say a huge Congratulations to Martin for reaching the summit of Mount Everest. This is a remarkable achievement and one that we and The Parachute Regiment are incredibly proud of. Once a Para, always a Para.
PARAS’10 goes Global
2019 has seen the Ultimate 10 Mile Endurance Race travel across the world as Paratroopers take the race on tour, challenging more people to test themselves against their high standards.
The PARAS’10 was originally founded by WO1 JJ Wilson and was run in Aldershot from 1982 to 1993. When the PARAS left Aldershot, the event lay dormant until 2008, when it was revived by Major Sam McGrath in Catterick. In 2012 it was introduced in Colchester, the home of our Airborne Forces.
The events are organised and run by the charity with the support of the battalions and they continue to go from strength to strength.
This year has already seen an event in Kabul, where 3 PARA set up and ran the event whilst on tour, raising some money for the charity. Not content with just one international race, 3 PARA have taken the event with them to The Falklands, where they are planning on holding an event this June.
The aim of the event is once again to promote and raise funds for their Regimental Charity, SUPPORT OUR PARAS and we are incredibly grateful to have their support.
To support A Coy with their Falklands race, please visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JamesThwaite