HELP our heroes! That is the message that Alan Haresign, a former Captain with the Royal Corps of Signals, is getting out to Basingstoke residents in a bid to raise £1million for injured servicemen and women.
Mr Haresign, of Highdowns, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke, is calling for fitness centres and residents to register for Gym for Heroes – an endurance challenge taking place across the country this summer.
Mr Haresign, 48, who set up the scheme in his spare time, said: “Gym for Heroes is in support of Help for Heroes and is not a charity in its own right, more a conduit for fundraising for them.
“I come from a strong military background and have lost numerous friends in conflicts worldwide during my 24 years of military service. I left the services seven years ago and still have very strong links with my ex-colleagues.”
The event is running between July 24-30 to raise money for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and prosthetic replacement limbs for servicemen and women returning from duty.
Gym-goers can enter at registered fitness centres as teams or individuals and choose between a 12-hour endurance challenge – four hours of rowing, a four-hour cycle and four hours on a treadmill or cross-trainer – or a three-hour option, involving a one-hour row, a one-hour cycle and one hour on a treadmill or cross-trainer, without a break.
Former marine Kevin Paterson, 47, who lost his foot in a land mine blast during the Falklands campaign, will be taking part. The former Aldworth Science College student – then Richard Aldworth School – said he loved his time in the corps and added: “I can really see the benefit of the charity’s support.”
Mr Haresign, who is a consultant with professional services company VEGA, said: “The current phase will no doubt see a fair few more soldiers being sent back for rehabilitation. The target is £1m and anything will help towards the aims of Help for Heroes.”
The father-of-two, who is a member of Beechdown Health Centre, in Winchester Road, Kempshott, Basingstoke, said that gyms can register for free and entrants can only take part at registered gyms.
Participants pay £10 to enter – receiving a T-shirt, drink bottle and medal. More details at gymforheroes.co.uk and donations can be made at justgiving.com/Gym-for-Heroes-2010.
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