Former Grenadier Guardsman Andrew Douthwaite, is going to do the British 10k London Run for Veterans Aid on Sunday, 13th July 2014.
It is his first run outside of the Army and he has already started training by running to and from work twice a week, taking some extra spin classes and doing treadmill work.
Andrew joined the British Army in 2009 and conducted his Combat Infantryman’s Course at ITC Catterick. On completion, he was posted to Nijmegen Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, where he did a six months stint of public duties in London including ceremonial duties such as guarding The Queen. He was deployed on Ex-Grand Prix in Kenya in 2010 and on return was posted to The Inkerman Company where he took part in Trooping the Colour (The Queen’s Birthday Parade) before moving onto Mission Specific Training for Op Herrick 16.
In March 2012 he was deployed to Nahr-e-saraj North of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as part of a Rifle Platoon. Andrew returned home early in August due to injury and subsequently left the Army in May 2013 to pursue a different career path.
He said, “I’m running for Veterans Aid because the help they provide goes largely unnoticed by the public but they have made a huge difference to a number of lives.
Through my current workplace I’ve seen the amazing work the charity does for ex-servicemen and women who have fallen on hard times. As an ex-soldier I feel passionate about this cause and want to support it”.
He added, “If you can help me support this charity with a small donation it would be greatly appreciated. My JustGiving page can be found HERE.”
The British 10k London Run is staged on the world’s greatest route through the heart of the City of Westminster & City of London. Starting on Piccadilly outside The Guards & Calvary Club, runners will pass the new WW2 Bomber Command Memorial, which was unveiled by HM Queen Elizabeth in June 2012, with Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner forming the backdrop to the start.
