Member’s Trailwalker Challenge
Centre member Liz will be taking on the Trailwalker challenge, which is the ultimate team endurance event. The challenge consists of a 100km non-stop walk across the South Downs Way in under 30 hours. Along with fellow Paramedics Alan, Neil and Pete, the team of four will cover all kinds of terrain and the equivalent height of a mountain or two, just for good measure.
The team of Paramedics work within East Kent, two of which specialise in critical care and the other two are part of a specialist team who work in all forms of hazardous areas, also known as the HART team (Hazardous Area Response Team).
The Charities
The event, which takes place on the 25th & 26th September is raising money for the Gurkha Welfare Trust and Oxfam, with which the team are extremely proud to raise money for.
The team sees first hand the damaging effects of Coronavirus and Oxfam supports people throughout the world in these harrowing times. Helping vulnerable families in their time of need, not just with the affects Coronavirus has caused, but with many issues involving poverty.
The Gurkha Welfare Trust provide financial, medical, and community aid to Gurkha veterans, their families and communities. Gurkha soldiers have been recruited into the British army for over two hundred years now and are renowned for their loyalty, professionalism and bravery.
Support the team by visiting and donating on their Just Giving Page. Every donation will make a huge difference to these two incredible charities and will certainly spur the team with their journey.
The Route
Starting at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Hampshire, the Trailwalker route takes you along the stunning and historical South Downs Way to the finish line at Brighton Racecourse. The team will pass through 9 checkpoints on route and will be cheered along by lots of amazing Oxfam and The Gurkha Welfare Trust volunteers.
The History of Trailwalker
Exercise Trailwalker started out as a military training exercise in Hong Kong in 1981. Organised by the Queen’s Gurkha Signals, and taking place along the famous Maclehose Trail, the exercise sought to test the endurance and teamwork of soldiers of the Queen’s Gurkha Signals over a long and arduous course.
In 1986, Trailwalker was opened to civilian participation for the first time, and now, following the move of the Queen’s Gurkha Signals to the UK, the 100k event takes place across the South Downs, with hundreds of civilians setting off alongside the Gurkhas.
