In 1985 when my best friend Al Reid and I joined The Parachute Regiment, we made our ways to Aldershot ("Home of the British Army"), where he was waved off at the station by his excited, 6 year old nephew Mark Wright.
08 January 2016
Several years later, Mark had grown from boy to man and joined the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (known as 3 Para). On 6th September, 2006 Mark lost his life to mine blast injuries in Kajaki, Afghanistan in an incident which left three other soldiers with life changing amputation injuries and 4 soldiers recognised for their gallantry.
My friend Al, spent his last day in uniform in December 2006 accompanying his sister to collect Mark`s posthumous George Cross at Buckingham Palace.
During September 2006, Helmand, an Afghanistan province, was wracked by violence. In Kajaki, a village in the north, a small group of soldiers from 3 Para and The Royal Army Medical Corps found themselves in the midst of an old and unmarked minefield left by the Russians. As one soldier after another braved the lethal carpet, 7 soldiers suffered traumatic and life threatening injuries in quick succession.
They were able to compose themselves and work together, in an unimaginable and horrific situation, to keep each other alive for many hours before they could be rescued. Three of them lost legs, while Corporal Mark Wright, suffered fatal wounds. The 27 year old was just two months away from his wedding to Gill Urquhart.
Six years later, that day has been immortalised in the Kajaki: The True Story, a film already dubbed the British “Hurt Locker” after the Oscar-winning American war epic.
Corporal Wright’s parents, Bob and Jem have dedicated their lives to raising money for ex-soldiers since the death of their only son.
In memory of Mark Wright GC and inspired by the efforts of his family and surviving comrades who wake up every day with physical and psychological struggles to overcome in order to carry on living the type of life we take for granted, I aim to train for and compete in a number of endurance events to raise both funds and awareness for Blesmablesma.org/.
My next event is the Grasse Duathlon on 10th April, 2016. The Duathlon consists of a 10K run and a 35K cycle. Followed a week later on 17th April by The Cannes International Triathlon for which Bluewater have very kindly sponsored my entry fees and the purchase of a triathlon suit which should help me swim a bit faster!!
I have a fundraising page set up and would be very grateful for any donation which will in some way help an injured veteran.
