Northern Ireland Royal British Legion chairman takes on 72km Pyrenees trek for Armed Forces Community
The chairman of the Royal British Legion’s Northern Ireland District is currently embarking on a 72km trek to raise funds for the charity’s lifelong support for the Armed Forces community.
Colin Ward, who is a long-standing member of the RBL, is taking on the 72km trek across the Pyrenees this week, where it is expected to take a few days to complete.
The trek involve tackling the historic Freedom Trail, or Le Chemin de la Liberte, a challenging 72km hike from Saint-Girons in France, across the Pyrenees to Alós d’Isil in Spain.
The trail follows the infamous path trodden by Allied forces, Jewish people and other fugitives who were fleeing Nazi occupied Europe during the Second World War.
Being no stranger to physically demanding challenges like this, Colin, who served as Branch Secretary before recently becoming Northern Ireland district chairman. said: "I've done various hair-raising things throughout my life, including trekking in the Himalayas and the Alps and running six marathons in six days through the Sahara Desert.
"I've trained all my life and, at 66, I still think I'm 18! My body tells me otherwise but I'm looking forward to the challenge!"
Along the 72km trek, Colin will pass 22 memorials paying tribute to all those who lost their lives who the trail.
Speaking about what this will mean to him, Colin added: "I'm going to lay a Poppy Remembrance Cross and recite the Exhortation at each one of those memorials.
"The opportunity to stop and pay my respects is a great honour."
The money raised from Colin's trek will help the RBL continue its vital work providing support for the entire Armed Forces community in Northern Ireland - whatever the need, whenever it's needed.
From short-term relief to lifelong support, donations allow the RBL to provide help in ways tailored to the Armed Forces community’s unique needs and circumstances.
Speaking on why this trek is so important to him, Colin stated: "I've seen the difference these funds can make to veterans in my local area. By taking on this challenge I'm raising money to help beneficiaries across Northern Ireland and hopefully make a change not only to their lives, but their families lives as well."