RAF Lossiemouth serviceman to run London Marathon with 30kg backpack for military charity
A SERVICEMAN from RAF Lossiemouth is set to run the London Marathon in boots and with a 30kg rucksack on his back.
AS1 Dave Owen is taking on the challenge on April 21 in aid of Armed Forces charity The Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA).
The charity helped Dave when he was going through a difficult time with his mental health and he wants to raise awareness and funds for them in return.
Dave said: “I ticked all the boxes: middle-aged male who refused to talk!
"I fell into depression and anxiety, and nothing seemed to help until I reached out to SSAFA.
"I don’t know where I would be now if I hadn’t been able to talk to them.”
To help the charity continue to provide assistance to other people like himself, Dave is running 26.2 miles through London, in boots and carrying a 30kg bergen (a military backpack).
Dave is aiming to raise more than £2000 for the charity, and had a stall in Asda in Elgin recently.
He added: “Any help is much appreciated, even more so in today’s financial climate.
“It’s not just about the fundraising. I want to crack the stigma surrounding mental health and get people talking.
"Us military lot are terrible for not talking about what’s going on mentally.
"I just want to say that, if you are suffering, you need to reach out, and SSAFA is a great place to start, if you are in the military or are a veteran.”
If you want to help Dave reach his fundraising target donate at https://2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/dave-owen
If you are, or have been part of the military or a military family and need help call SSAFA’s Forcesline 0800 260 6767.
