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South Gloucestershire veteran to take on 100 km challenge for military charity

A Royal Air Force (RAF) veteran from South Gloucestershire is training to complete a 100 kilometre walk from London to Brighton for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Larry Cauchi, 58 and from Thornbury, decided to compete in the challenge after his wife came across the organisation. He explains: “My wife started a new role as Practice Manager of an opticians this year and wanted to put a charity tin on the counter. After a bit of research, and partly due to my own Service, she opted for Blind Veterans UK.

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Deptherapy and Divecrew Grant Scuba Diver’s Last Wish this Christmas

A team from scuba diving rehabilitation charity, Deptherapy, and PADI 5* dive centre Divecrew, have made a scuba diver’s wish for one, last dive come true this Christmas.

Colin Clements, 60, from Woodley, Berkshire, is suffering from an aggressive form of brain cancer that will take his life in the near future. Knowing he would be unable to dive again, Colin donated his diving equipment to Deptherapy so that other divers could be helped by his loss.

When contacting Colin to offer his thanks for this brave and selfless gesture, Richard Cullen, Deptherapy Chairman, was made aware that Colin had a dying wish to undertake one, last dive.

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Charity and Dive Centre to Grant Scuba Diver’s Last Wish this Christmas

Deptherapy, the charity that seeks to rehabilitate UK Armed Service personnel who have suffered life changing mental and/or physical challenges, and Crowthorne’s PADI 5* dive centre Divecrew, are teaming up to grant a scuba diver his last wish this Christmas.

When Colin Clements and his friend Daphne Pearson walked into Crowthorne-based PADI dive centre Divecrew, no one expected what was to happen next.

Colin, 60, from Woodley, Berkshire, is suffering from an aggressive form of brain cancer that will take his life in the near future.

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Invictus Games athlete takes on extreme, once in a lifetime challenge

47 year old Jamie Weller from Nottingham, who recently brought home four bronze medals from this year’s Invictus Games, is taking on a new challenge. The former Navy Aircraft Engineer trekked for 13 days across Nepal on this extreme and once in a life time challenge to reach the base of Mount Everest. The challenge was organised by and raised money for Help for Heroes (H4H).

When Jamie lost his central vision he lost more than just the majority of his eyesight. He lost the ability to pursue his dream of a life in the military.

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Deptherapy is pleased to announce two major expeditions 2018 together with the team selection for each expedition 

The first to Roots Red Sea in Egypt is the largest expedition to date and is aimed at new divers who will undertake their PADI Open Water courses and also a number of divers who are part of the Deptherapy continuing education programme.

In August the charity undertakes its most challenging expedition, thus far, by taking 14 WIS veterans to dive Chuuk Lagoon, widely regarded as the best wreck diving site in the world. The selection process has been rigorous and based on diving ability and commitment to personal development through the continuing education programme.

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17 Veterans Trek 75 Miles Across The Falklands

Between 19th-29th November, 17 veterans and serving personnel trekked 75 miles from Port San Carlos to Port Stanley. Organised by The Not Forgotten Association to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Falklands War, and partly funded by The Royal Marines Charity, the trip was the NFA’s flagship action challenge for 2017. The group consisted of 8 members of SAMA82, all veterans of the Falklands War, a further 7 veterans of various conflicts – including Northern Ireland, Aden, Oman, Iraq and Afghanistan – and 2 injured serving personnel from the Royal Marines and The Household Cavalry.

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Two men | the 5 biggest islands on earth | one world record

A former Royal Marine battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is about to embark on the third stage of his record attempt to cross the world’s five largest islands completely unsupported thanks to Help for Heroes funding.

Louis Nethercott, 28, of Wiltshire, will today begin his trek across Madagascar, travelling east to west following the historical lighthouses scattered across the coastline. He will be relying solely on human power to do so. He is being supported in his world record attempt by military charity, Help for Heroes, who have grant funded £10,000 for the expedition, the likes of which has never been attempted before.

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Princess visits charity that cares for veterans

Last week, HRH Princess Alexandra came to Worthing to visit residents and staff at local charity, Care for Veterans, of which she is President.

The charity (formerly known as The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home), has recently extended one of its wings, to enlarge and improve the facilities in two existing rooms and build two additional single en-suite rooms. This not only provides two more beds, enabling the charity to care for more veterans and their family members, but it also gives greater flexibility when admitting both permanent and respite residents.

Her Royal Highness came to officially open the extended ward, which has been renamed the Richmond Wing.

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Blind veteran from East Sussex climbs Mount Kilimanjaro

A blind veteran from East Sussex has successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Mark Threadgold, 49 and from Saltdean, says: “It was a brilliant experience and couldn’t have gone better.

“I billed it as the trip of the lifetime and it absolutely was. It was a true privilege to stand on the roof of Africa.”

Mark completed the climb with a company called Charity Challenge, who arranged The Big Red Nose Climb for Comic Relief in 2009. He says: “They were absolutely on the ball, everyone from the top down worked their socks off.

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Seafarers UK calls for corporate teams to take on the 24 Peaks Challenge

The UK maritime industry’s most rewarding team-building event is on 7-8 July 2018, when up to 30 teams of trekkers will take on Seafarers UK’s 24 Peaks Challenge. Over 24 hours, 24 peaks over 2,400 feet in the Lake District are ascended by teams of four to six people. Awards are presented to the top fundraising team and the company that recruits the most teams.

Each team pledges to raise £4,000 for Seafarers UK, the charity that helps people in the maritime community by providing vital funding to support seafarers in need and their families.

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Afghanistan support

In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here