A group of local students have been inspired to complete a three-day challenge after meeting an Army veteran, who now works with Help for Heroes.
Nine students who are on the Uniformed Protective Services course at Vision West College, plan to complete a three-day, 34-mile trek, which will take in the 9 Edges trail in the Peak District, plus a detour to the B29 Superfortress crash memorial at Bleaklow.
Gareth Maude, aged 18 and from Mansfield, was one of the students who earlier this year met Dean Williams, who served in the Army for 27 years. Gareth said: “All of the students on our course have ambitions to work in services that help other people. When Dean came along to talk to us, it was great to hear about his career in the Army and now with Help for Heroes.
“It made us want to do something to show our support for the people who protect us, which is why we sat down and came up with this challenge. We’re going to have to walk for six to eight hours a day in quite difficult terrain, but we wanted a challenge.”
The nine students, aged from 17 to 19 years old are working towards leadership careers in the Police, Fire, Prison and Ambulance Services, Army, Navy and RAF.
Gareth added: “We’ve all been out training. We’ll each be carrying 15-20kg of kit, so it’s going to be tough. But the response from friends, family and other students has been great – and we’ve had messages of support from mates who have already gone on to join the armed forces.”
At the time of writing, the challenge was due to start on 22nd April and Gareth and the other students will be posting updates on www.instagram.com/charity_events2025/.
Help for Heroes supports veterans and their families, from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service – and locally embedded civilians who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces. The Charity remains at the side of veterans who are struggling, providing life-changing support for as long as it takes.
If you or a family member is a veteran and you need support, visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk or call 0300 303 9888.