Home About Mike Contact Campaigns Mike's Work News Gallery Local Resources

Mike Penning met with “10 squaddies, 10 marathons in 5 days” soldiers as they passed through Hemel


19th November 2010

Mike Penning met with a team of ten soldiers from 39 Engineer Regiment who completed 10 marathons in 5 days to raise money for St Dunstans.

Mike Penning, Member of Parliament for Hemel Hempstead, met with a team of ten soldiers from 39 Engineer Regiment who were on their way to completing a gruelling 10 marathons in 5 days – each carrying an army issue Bergen rucksack filled to weigh 40lbs and wearing their combat boots rather than trainers. The team, consisting of 9 men and one woman, ‘tabbed’ 266 miles from Sheffield to Brighton and passed through Hemel Hempstead on the way.

The soldiers are raising money for St Dunstans – the charity for blind ex-servicemen and women.

They arrived at Hemel Hempstead Sportspace just before 6am on 4th November, where they had a quick cup of tea before they quickly left again as they were meeting with the Prime Minister in Downing Street that afternoon.

Mike said:
“The ‘10 squaddies, 10 marathons in 5 days’ is a gruelling challenge to set themselves and the lads were pushing themselves very hard. I was honoured to meet them and wish them all the best and I understand they met the Prime Minister in Downing Street later that afternoon. But if anyone suggests that proves I can walk to work…!

“St Dunstan’s does an incredible job in providing support for blind and visually impaired ex-Service men and women. It is a very worthwhile cause.”

Donations are very welcome at: http://www.justgiving.com/10squaddies

On completing the task, organiser SSgt Jim Offord said:
“I am over the moon with what they've done. They've worked really hard and I couldn't have asked for more from them.

"St Dunstan's do fantastic work but not that many people are aware of them so I really hope that by doing this they get more publicity as they really deserve recognition."

SSgt Jim Offord , who also completed the task, added:
“I created the 10 Squaddies, 10 Marathons in 5 Days to support St Dunstan’s as we want to give something back to a charity that helps our fellow soldiers in difficult times. To keep it interesting I threw in the idea of wearing our Bergen’s filled to weigh 40lbs, plus combat boots rather than trainers. I went for 10 Marathons in 5 Days as I couldn’t find a record that it had been done before; there were plenty of reports of 5 marathons in 10 days, or 10 in 10 days, but no-one seems to have done 10 marathons in 5 days. People said that it’s physically impossible but we’ve proved them wrong.

“The 10 Marathons in 5 Days had the full support of the Regiment as they know the important work St Dunstan’s does to help ex-Service men and women who have lost their sight regain control to lead independent and fulfilling lives. We had a strong team and good support. Each person needed to have the mental and physical strength to complete a marathon day and night during the heart of winter.”

The team have raised 94% of their £12,000 target so far. Visit http://www.justgiving.com/10squaddies to donate.

Photos: 10 Squaddies, 10 marathons in 5 days – and support team, (top) outside No 10 Downing Street and (bottom) with Mike Penning as they pass through Hemel Hempstead


Mike Penning meets with soldiers from 39 Engineer Regiment who completed 10 marathons in 5 days to raise money for St Dunstans


Christmas Card Competition

Click here for photos of Veterans Badge Presentation

Join Mike's mailing list

Search this site

Constituency Map


View Hemel Hempstead in a larger map

Latest Photos

Click here for photos of Veterans Badge Presentation