In an attempt to be the first ever person to run the North East Coast 250, RAF Corporal Jon Ward is gearing up to conquer the 250-mile-long trail in the support of the RAF Benevolent Fund.
As this year sees the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund celebrate its centenary, Jon’s triumphant challenge to tackle the great NEC 250 over six days will coincide with the centennial campaign to reach even more members of the RAF Family in need. The marathon will begin on 13-18 June, 2019.
Jon, who is based at RAF Lossiemouth, is no stranger to extreme running feats, having completed 129 marathons and taken part in some ultra-marathon races. As well as running the North East Coast 250 he also plans to run the Ultra GB marathon, 215 miles across Scotland.
Jon Ward, 33, said: “I chose to run this particular route in the Scotland as it’s something that no one else has ever done before.
“I love to run, and I do it almost every day. At the moment, I am completing at least one marathon every month and am about to go into a 100-mile run at the end of March and then the Bratislava Marathon beginning of April before the London Marathon in April.
“As a member of the RAF I know how much the RAF Benevolent Fund does to support us all. If I ever were in need, I know I could turn to them. It’s all the more special to raise funds for this amazing charity in its centenary year.”
The North East 250 is Scotland’s circular touring route, which runs through Aberdeenshire and Moray Speyside and takes in the Cairngorms National Park.
The route, officially launched in 2017, can be joined at three main points – Ballindalloch, Aberdeen Airport and Glenshee – and winds across Speyside, Royal Deeside, Aberdeen, Cairngorms, the east coast and the Moray Firth coast.
Zee Fletcher, Community Fundraising Manager at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “Jon’s dedication to raising funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund is an inspiration to us all. His efforts over the last year have been incredible and the same goes for the North East Coast 250 challenge.
“As the Fund celebrates 100 years of support for the RAF Family, it’s important to remember we could not continue the work we do looking after serving and retired personnel and their families, without fundraisers like him. Good luck Jon!”
The RAF Benevolent Fund has been side by side supporting the RAF for almost as long as it has existed. This year as part of its centenary celebrations, the charity is aiming to double its impact and reach more than 100,000 members of the RAF community in need. Go to www.rafbf.org
To sponsor Jon go to https://www.justgiving.com/
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