Veterans And Wounded Service Personnel Start 127-Mile Charity Run

Veterans and wounded service personnel have began a 127 mile run to raise money for the DMRC Benevolent Fund.

A group of 20 left Headley Court - the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre - on Tuesday morning, heading towards the new facility that is nearing completion at Stanford Hall, near Loughborough.

The runners have been split into small teams, with each member having to run 30 miles to complete the total distance within 24 hours.

Former Army Captain and DNRC ambassador Ibrar Ali is someone who is no stranger to long-distance running.

Since losing his right arm whilst serving with the Yorkshire Regiment in Iraq in 2007, Mr Ali has ran the Marathon Des Sables, completed a South Pole trek and finished seven marathons on seven continents in a week

Speaking to Forces News, Mr Ali said:  "130 miles isn't a nice distance, 130 miles is still 130 miles.

"It's going to be steady. It's a relay and it's all about raising awareness for Stamford Hall and also raising money for the DMRC Benevolent Fund."

Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Streatfield, 3 Rifles, is also taking part.

He found himself opposite Mr Ali at Sellyoak Hospital after being shot in the arm. He said: "When anyone talks about Headley Court closing, it triggers a bit of emotion.

"I wasn't really aware of what was going on with DMRC, so I thought 'if I'm not aware and I've gone through the process then there would be lots of people in and out of the military that don't know.

"So I felt quite strongly that something needed to be done."

The runners have been tweeting updates of their journey so far.

Former rugby league international, Keith Senior, is also taking part. 

The group is expected to arrive at the DMRC site at 11am on Wednesday, before the official handover of the facility to the Ministry of Defence on Thursday. 

You can donate to the team's JustGiving page, here.