Military team to march for Fisher House
A team of military personnel from the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine will march 100 miles over four days in support of Fisher House, marking the 100th International Four Day Marches in Nijmegen, Holland.
Lead by WO2 Nicholas McKenzie, 13 men and women from the RCDM will take on the intense marching challenge in Nijmegen, beginning on Tuesday 19 July and finishing on Friday 22 July. The RCDM team has trained hard and qualified through a 50-mile version of the event in the UK.
The team are raising awareness and money in support of Fisher House, QEHB Charity’s ‘home away from home’ for military patients and their families. The house provides military personnel and their loved ones with a safe space, away from the wards, whilst they receive treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The hospital is the primary receiving hospital for all the UK’s military personnel when they become injured or fall ill anywhere around the world, and is home to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine.
The Nijmegen Marches cover 100 miles over four days, in the height of summer, with each participant carrying at least 15 kg of kit. It is the biggest civilian and military march in the world with over 45,000 civilian walkers and 5,000 military marchers from all over the globe. This year will mark the 100th march, making it an even more significant event than usual.
Nicholas said: “After many operational tours, I and many others in the team have been fortunate to have had enjoyable and successful careers. Many, however, were not so fortunate and have suffered life changing injuries as a result of serving their country. I am truly honoured to have many of our bravest men and women as my friends; they have overcome severe adversity but continue to thrive in their new world.
“Funded entirely by the QEHB Charity, Fisher House relies on donations from the public in order to care for our military families.”
Each team member is aiming to raise £100, and will be helping to raise awareness and donations throughout June and July in the run-up to the march. They will be helping to staff a stand in the hospital atrium on Friday 24 June, where donations for Fisher House will be collected.
Laura Power, Senior Fundraiser at QEHB Charity, said: “We’re really grateful for the support of Nicholas and the whole team in taking on this challenge and raising vital donations and awareness for Fisher House and the military families who benefit from it. Good luck, everyone!”
To support Nicholas and the rest of the RCDM team, please go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nicholas-mckenzie2
For more information about Fisher House please go to fisherhouseuk.org
