Soldier to battle ultra marathon in Sahara Desert in memory of comrades lost to suicide
An infantry soldier will take on an ultra-marathon where he will run 100 kilometres in the Sahara Desert to raise money for military charities that focus on mental health after losing comrades to suicide.
Corporal Simon Richardson of the Royal Anglian Regiment is part of a team to have raised more than £180,000 for four military charities that focus on supporting the Armed Forces community with mental health.
He chose to take on the gruelling challenge after losing some of his comrades to suicide, to provide cash to help others and in their memory.
"I've lost three close friends over the last five years due to mental health and suicide.
"It does sit really close to my heart with these charities because I know how much they mean and how much some of the soldiers will actually rely on these charities," he added.
The money will be spread evenly across four chosen charities: Head Up, REORG, Team Forces and The Not Forgotten.
Raising awareness and money for the charities will help him through it, he says.
"That's one of the main things that will keep me going through the desert. This is more than a run for me, it's more of a cause so I can raise awareness."
Cpl Richardson will take on blistering heat in the Sahara Desert, with the forecast showing temperatures are expected to exceed 40°C.
To train, he spent his summer in Morocco and Spain, where the temperatures peaked at 32°C.
He says that is "nothing like it's going to be this weekend, it's going to be a big shock to the system."
But to spur him on to the finish line, Jason 'Foxy' Fox, a former special forces soldier, will join the team for parts of the marathon in Tunisia, alongside Brian Wood, a former soldier in the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, and Richard French, who served as a sniper.
Thirteen years ago, after a six-year travelling stint, Cpl Richardson was diagnosed with tuberculosis, which resulted in him losing 20% of his left lung – but he didn't let his diagnosis stop him from joining the Army.
Cpl Richardson reckons the gruelling run will put quite a strain on his body, but says: "I feel I've done enough training now and I know my body.
"It's a slow and steady race, not a sprint, so as long as I don't go out sprinting on the start box and try and get a massive lead or anything.
"I'm not out there for the race, I'm out there for many reasons, but I just want to get to that finish line come Sunday."
Donations can be made to Simon's ultra-marathon fundraiser here.
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
