It appears that the success of Project Longstride, the brainchild of Tim Shapland just keeps on building, as well as raising £20,000 for forces charity Combat Stress, it’s been confirmed that Project Longstride has reached the top 1% of fundraisers with its Just Giving Page.
Having made a personal pledge to raise £10,000, the incredible persistence of Tim and his teams fundraising efforts saw the original target doubled.
A squally wet day saw the final few steps of Project Longstride- a 100 mile series of sponsored walks, after which the massive cheque was handed to Combat Stress at their headquarters in Leatherhead.
Combat Stress is the UK’s leading charity specialising in the care of veterans’ mental health. The charity is currently supporting more than 5,400 ex-Service men and women suffering from conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety. Demand for Combat Stress’s services is rising – last year 1,700 veterans contacted the charity for help.
Hiking across locations all over the country sites including the Wiltshire White Horse Trail, the Brecon Beacons, the Pembrokeshire Coast path, part of the Pennine way in Northumberland, Peddars Way around Thetford, Epynt Way in Powys , part of the Saxon Shore Way at Folkestone, Three Lochs Way in Argyll, as well as Norfolk and Dartmoor.
Throughout the 100 miles Tim made use of the network of public footpaths surrounding the UK’s military training areas to get access to some stunning yet seldom visited scenery in each of the locations visited.
At the end of 100 foot-weary miles Tim commented, “I’d like to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to all those who have supported me, either directly or indirectly and more importantly, helped bring in funds for Combat Stress. On their behalf and on behalf of the ex-servicemen and women that they support, please accept my, and their, heartfelt thanks.”
There is still the opportunity to donate sponsorship money to support Tim’s fantastic efforts by visiting the Just Giving page (www.justgiving.com/longstride)