On 29 April, Richard French, from Littlehampton is running 100 miles in full body armour to raise money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
Richard was seriously injured in a bomb blast on tour in Afghanistan and again, later in his career, in a parachute accident. Despite this, he is attempting the world record breaking run to raise awareness and combat the stigma of mental ill-health in veterans.
Richard, formerly of the Coldstream Guards, will be attempting to run from Chichester to Hastings in under 24hrs, wearing 10 kilograms of body armour. Richard is a veteran of Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland now wants to raise funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity.
Richard, SSAFA’s South East Regional Fundraising Officer says:
“I lost many friends fighting over there [Afghanistan and Iraq], and to suicide due to what they experienced. I am putting myself through this very painful experience for those veterans who can’t physically or mentally run anymore.”
Richard is no stranger to putting himself through physical trials. He is taking a group of veterans to the Azores in May to compete in an ultramarathon and he regularly takes part in extreme sports, and has competed in the Invictus Games in the past.
Richard said:
“I find that long runs on the South Downs has a huge positive effect on my mental health. It gives me time to think through any issues I have while at the same time somehow clearing my mind. The physical challenge gives me focus and drive and works off any issues I may have building up.”
If you would like to support SSAFA and Richard you can donate at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/frenchy13
