Soldiers in world's 'toughest' marathon
Soldiers who are preparing for one of the toughest challenges in the world have received a cash boost totalling £1,500 thanks to 800 staff at Fujitsu and their bosses.
Soldiers who are preparing for one of the toughest challenges in the world have received a cash boost totalling £1,500 thanks to 800 staff at Fujitsu and their bosses.
Stafford-based Team Mercury, made up of three members of the 22 Signal Regiment, will run 151 miles through the Moroccan desert in April to raise thousands of pounds for the charity Help for Heroes.
The plucky runners, taking part in what is likely to be the biggest challenge in a lifetime, will be taking all they need with them for the seven days.
Warrant officer class two Damian McDonnell, Staff Sergeant Nigel McDiarmid and Sergeant Mhairi McIntosh, are tackling the Marathon Des Sables, said to be the toughest foot race on the planet.
They need to raise £9,500 to enter the race and have appealed to members of the public in Stafford to help donate as much money as possible to Help for Heroes.
The funding call has been answered by Fujitsu staff who held a dress down day to raise £1,000. The company has also added £500 to the total from its Impact on Society initiative.
During the Marathon Des Sables the soldiers, who are having to undergo gruelling training sessions every day, will endure day temperatures of 50C heat, dropping to zero at night, through miles of desert sand dunes and rocky terrain.
Warrant officer class two Damian McDonnell said £1,000 of the donation would go to pay off the entry fees whilst the £500 would go to Help for Heroes.
He said: "It an absolutely fantastic boost for us. We are training hard every day running, cycling and swimming to prepare for the marathon but we really need people in Stafford to help us raise as much as possible."
Martin Simmelker said: "On behalf of everyone at Fujitsu we were pleased to support Team Mercury. A lot of people who work at Fujitsu have friends and family serving in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Already the team have got more than £2,000 for Help for Heroes To support Team Mercury log on to www.justgiving.com/teammercury22sigs where donations can be made on-line. Alternatively send cheques to Team Mercury, 222 Signal Squadron, 22 Signal Regiment, Beacon Barracks, Stafford ST18 0AQ or visit the Express & Star office in Bridge Street to make a donation.