A Newport veteran due to march at the Cenotaph in London on Remembrance Sunday hasn’t let COVID or his struggles with PTSD get in the way of raising funds for charity.
Anthony Lock, 38, has embarked on a 138 mile ‘virtual’ jog – the distance from Newport to the Cenotaph in London, to raise funds for The Not Forgotten, a British Armed Forces charity which supports serving and ex-service men and women.
Supported by his partner and his 15-year-old-daughter, Anthony, a former Corporal with 2 Royal Welsh, is averaging around 10.6 miles each day on a treadmill at his Newport home, despite suffering from spinal damage, arthritis and an acute pain condition.
Anthony initially hoped to raise £138.00 to represent a pound for every mile between Newport and the Cenotaph, but his fundraising efforts have exceeded his expectations and currently stand at over an incredible £2,000. He aims to complete the challenge on 8 November just in time to pay his own respects to our fallen heroes and his friends.
Anthony tells us:
“I was really looking forward to joining The Not Forgotten, fellow comrades and veterans for the march-past at the Cenotaph on Sunday, but sadly due to COVID, this significant event has been cancelled this year.
I know this has been an extremely challenging year for everyone, but a further lockdown has led to things really spiralling for me recently.”
Anthony, whose motto is ‘never give up, never give in’ decided to set himself the challenge to take his mind off things, keep on top of his PTSD and continue with his recovery, while also giving back to The Not Forgotten who he says “really put their arms around me and offered me hope over the past year after struggling to get any support since leaving the Army.”
In 2009, Anthony was seriously injured in Afghanistan and his world fell apart when he suffered both physical and mental injuries and became isolated from the world. He recently found hope with The Not Forgotten who aim to combat isolation and loneliness amongst the Armed Forces community through social activities and challenge holidays. He believes he might not be here today without their continued support.
Commenting on Anthony’s fundraising efforts, Brigadier James Stopford, CBE, CEO of The Not Forgotten said: “We were really looking forward to Anthony joining us to march at the Cenotaph and are saddened that the event has been cancelled this year.
We are delighted that Anthony is part of The Not Forgotten family and has taken on this challenge to support his fellow veterans. His spirit and determination in the face of adversity is admirable and we wish him the very best of luck with his challenge.”
If you would like to donate to Anthony’s fundraising campaign visit https://gf.me/u/y5rdaz
If you are a serving or ex-member of the Armed Forces or you know of someone that could benefit from the help of The Not Forgotten, please get in touch by contacting Tel: 0207 730 2400
