Staffordshire entrepreneur takes on four-fold endurance challenge in support of military veterans

Josh Moreton, 28, from Codsall, is a director of the Birmingham-based One Thousand Trades Group (OTTG) - a company with a record of working closely with the Armed Forces community, including previous fundraising for the Army Benevolent Fund and Afghanistan Veterans Community.

Challenge4Veterans will see Josh undertake the following feats:

• Brighton Marathon on April 12

• Keswick Mountain Festival Half Marathon Trail Run on May 16

• Lakeland50 Ultra Marathon from July 25

• Ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, in August. 

The four events have been selected by Josh as each will require the physical and mental resilience demonstrated day in, day out by veterans across the UK.

“I’m taking on these four challenges because too many veterans and the families who support them face hardship, isolation or loss without the long-term support they deserve,” said Josh. 

“It’s going to be tough, and I’ve got a lot of training to do, but every mile will be about honouring our veterans, raising awareness and supporting these remarkable charities. If it means we can help these charities continue with their vital work, it’ll be more than worth it.

“People have already been incredibly generous and supportive. And if you feel you can give, please do.” The Challenge4Veterans campaign supports three UK charities dedicated to different areas of veteran support:

• Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which helps children and young people who have lost a parent who served in the British Armed Forces, offering emotional support, activities and development programmes to ensure they do not feel alone.

• Army Benevolent Fund (formerly ABF The Soldiers’ Charity), national charity of the British Army, which provides lifelong support to soldiers, veterans and their families in need through grants, wellbeing assistance and vital services.

• UK Afghanistan Veterans Community, a community-led organisation supporting veterans of the Afghanistan mission with advocacy, peer connection and wellbeing support.

Supporters are invited to donate and follow Josh’s progress via the official GiveWheel fundraising page:  givewheel.com/fundraising/12508/Challenge4Veterans/.

The OTTG has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for veterans' causes through its corporate network.

Professor Paul Cadman, CEO of OTTG, said: “We are proud of Josh’s Challenge4Veterans campaign. At One Thousand Trades Group, we are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrating how Birmingham’s business community can use its voice and resources to make a meaningful difference. Josh’s effort shines a spotlight on the real, ongoing challenges faced by our veterans and their families.”

Graham Whitehouse, regional director at the Army Benevolent Fund, said: "As grant provider to Scotty’s Little Soldiers and to thousands of Afghanistan Veterans, we are especially proud to see Josh champion all three causes that directly align with our shared mission of benevolence - ensuring that soldiers, veterans, and their families, particularly bereaved military children, receive the support they deserve."

Jonny Ball, UK Afghanistan Veterans Community co-founder: “Josh has been one of the early supporters of the UK Afghanistan Veterans Community through his work. This physical challenge changes that dynamic to one where he will empathise with the physical and mental resilience that many of our community have been through on military operations. His fundraising will help us support the 150,000-strong, largely working-age, population of UK Veterans of Afghanistan and their families. Good luck!”

A spokesperson for Scotty’s Little Soldiers said: “We are blown away here at Scotty’s by Josh’s incredible challenge. His passion and determination to support military charities is so inspiring, but to take on four enormous lifetime challenges in a few short months shows his immense commitment to make a difference for our veteran community. We are honoured to have him on board and wish him the very best on this awesome endeavour.”