I often wonder what motivates people to undertake such massive physical challenges to raise money for charity. For most, it is simply a way of keeping fit whilst helping a worthy cause and for others it takes on a more personal stance where the challenge may be taken in memory of someone or something special and beloved. For the members of Team Warrior 2011 who are taking part in the Forces March May 25th to the 29th 2011 it is indeed a lot of both.
Team Warrior is made up of several members (and still growing in numbers), who are a mix of ex-military and civilian alike. They have set themselves the ultimate and incredible goal of raising fifteen thousand pounds plus for Project 65. This is done with the grit and determination of team leader Dean Grimshawe who has set other challenges in the meantime to boost the groups fundraising totals.
Dean’s grandfather would tell him stories of his time as a Royal Engineer and so he grew up wanting to share the same experience of friendship and loyalty that his grandfather did. Fortunately, though his dreams of becoming a Royal Marine were hampered, Dean went on to make many friends in the Armed Forces and upon remembering his grandfathers stories of what happened to some soldiers after combat, he was driven by the need to help and coming across Project 65 and the Forces March was the icing on the cake for him.
“I think Project 65 is fantastic. A big selling point for me was Danny Greeno and the energy he puts into the project. I love how hands on the charity is and the lengths they go to, to make our task easier. I’ve raised funds for many charities and I enjoy doing it, but I’ve only ever known them sit by the phone and wait for the cheque. Being in contact with Danny we feel in some way like we are actually a part of where Project 65 is going and we know where the money goes.”
Dean Grimshawe – Team Warrior 2011
Dean approached the other team members and convinced them to join him taking on the Forces March using his passion and drive for the cause. Indeed all team members have some kind of connection with the Armed Forces. Rob Killingsworth served in the army for six years and prior to that in the T.A. for three years. He has lost many friends on tour in Afghanistan and wants to give back to the families of those left behind. Matt Wang, Tom Corbin and Alex Harrison all have friends or family member serving in the forces and all believe that Project 65 is doing an incredible job of providing for our veterans and forces families.
“Project 65 is brilliant; often the news focuses on the soldiers that are unfortunately killed. The injured soldiers are often overlooked and rarely mentioned in the media, in some ways almost forgotten by the vast majority of people. Project 65 reaches out to these injured soldiers and families, in my eyes to almost remind them that someone cares and people are here to help in the difficult times.” Matt Wang – Team Warrior 2011
The main ethos of training is similar throughout. Team members have set themselves rigorous routines of mainly running miles and miles per week along with circuit training and even using kettle bells to become fit for the march! Some are undertaking other ‘mini’ challenges to see how far exactly they can push themselves in order to attain maximum mental and physical strength. Alex Harrison, who has lost four and a half stone through physical training since last May, is using the Forces March to take himself further towards his own personal goal whilst raising as much money as he can for Project 65. It took one look at the Forces March website for him to agree to undertake the challenge.
“The team have set themselves a target of £15k. We did this because to be honest it was a target that stretches us and makes us really think about what we can do to support the charity. Also, it keeps us mindful that this challenge is not about 5 marathons in 5 days and I was adamant we weren’t going to forget that. This challenge is about the heroes that sacrifice everything so we don’t have to. This is for them.” Dean Grimshawe – Team Warrior 2011
So is fifteen thousand pounds a target that is impossible to hit? Not according to Dean it isn’t. He has set up the Facebook event the Team Warrior 90 Day Challenge to make people aware of his aims to raise funds for Project 65 and also for them to join in and fulfil their own personal goals as well. He believes that through taking part in the Forces March, he can develop a strategy of fundraising that can be repeated the year after and so on. The team as a whole believe that Project 65 not only provide vital funding to assist in the rehabilitation of our veterans and to improve the quality of life of our forces families but that they also consider many other ways of really making a difference.
If you want to make a difference, join the team to help Team Warrior push their limits or even just donate, please go to http://www.justgiving.com/teamwarrior and help spread the word.
