York soldier prepares for gruelling fundraising

8:49pm Thursday 6th December 2007

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A YORK soldier is to undergo a 24-hour gruelling fitness challenge to raise money for fellow troops who have been wounded in battle.

Staff Sergeant Iain Bareham, an Army physical training corps instructor, based at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, in Strensall, will run more than 40 miles, do at least 400 press-ups and 500 sit-ups, all in aid of the Help For Heroes charity, which supports wounded soldiers.

Preparing himself for the today's 11am start, Staff Sgt Bareham said: "I am a bit apprehensive as the time gets closer and closer, but I am prepared for the challenge.

"All my mates think I'm a bit crazy, but if I can do my bit to help out then that is what matters."

Help For Heroes was set up to support wounded soldiers and aims to raise £5m to build a gym and swimming pool at Headley Court, a rehabilitation centre in Surrey which specialises in battle injuries.

Launched in September, it has already received more than £1m in donations.

Through sponsorship, Staff Sgt Bareham has already raised £1,500 the charity.

Staff Sgt Bareham will do a 24-hour fitness test, starting today at 11am, comprising of two different tests, which he will alternate each hour.

The first is a personal fitness test (PFT) starting off with two minutes of press ups (approximately 41), two minutes of sit-ups (approximately 46), a warm-up run, and then a mile and-a-half sprint.

The second is advanced combat fitness (ACFT) which encompasses of running one-and-a half miles while wearing a rucksack weighing 20kg.

Staff Sgt Bareham is aiming to alternate between the PFT one hour and an ACFT the next hour, every hour, for 22 hours.

For the last two hours, Staff Sgt Bareham will run eight miles with the 20kgs rucksack.

One soldier currently receiving treatment at Headley Court is Corporal Mark Sutcliffe, 28.

He was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment in Basra when his left leg was blown off by a rocket-propelled grenade in July 2006. He arrived at Headley Court last year after months in hospital and said the day he was wheeled through the door was the day he started to get his freedom back.

"I was walking within two or three weeks of being there," he said. "The treatment is all individual and personalised and nothing is too much trouble."

Bryn Parry, appeal chairman of the charity, said: "We are asking everyone who wants to help to get out there and do something to raise money for Help For Heroes.

"You can do anything that is legal - a sponsored parachute jump, dinner party, run a marathon, swim the channel, shave your head - we don't mind, as long as you donate the proceeds to Help For Heroes."

To sponsor Staff Sgt Bareham log on to his website at http://www.justgiving.com/iainbareham.

A key part of a soldier's rehabilitation is swimming, as it helps to build body strength without putting strain on injured limbs. Currently, soldiers at Headley Court have to travel to public baths in Leatherhead.