Endurance event for Army’s national charity began on D-Day anniversary
Over 1,100 people gathered in the Cairngorms on Friday 6th June, the anniversary of D-Day, before taking on their “toughest ever” challenge on Saturday 7th June – walking non-stop for 22, 36, or 54 miles over 24 hours through the Cairngorms, to support soldiers, veterans and their families.
Based on the infamous long-distance military training march, the event attracts international participants and supporters from across the UK to hike the scenic but challenging terrain of the Cateran Trail.
The Cateran Yomp is now in its 14th year and, since2011, Yomp participants and sponsors have raised over £4m for the Army Benevolent Fund, which supports soldiers, veterans and their families. This year’s youngest ‘yomper’ is aged 16, and the oldest participant was born in August 1944, the same birth month and year as the founding of the charity.
Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer of the Army Benevolent Fund, said: “This year is set to be one of the toughest and biggest yet for the Cateran Yomp, in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund.
“The charity relies on the generosity of our supporters to ensure that soldiers, former soldiers, and their families have the opportunity to avoid hardship and enjoy independence and dignity.
“The support we receive from individual participants, the local community and the organisations that not only sponsor the Yomp but also encourage their staff to take part, is vital. Every single step helps our mission: to be there for soldiers, for veterans, and for their families, for life.”
The Yomp attracts a range of participants, including Barry Azzopardi, from Devon, a veteran with a four-decade military career. Barry and his son, James, a former soldier, are taking on the Cateran Yomp for the first time. During the event, they will be marking the loss of Barry’s brother who died, aged 11, in 1971 and never grew up to become the soldier he wanted to be.
Barry says: “It’s fitting that I will be taking part in the Yomp on my brother’s anniversary. I enjoyed my years in the Army, and I feel fortunate to have served and survived unscathed. Now I want to give something back.”
Lauren McLean, a headteacher from Cumbria and her colleagueenjoy taking on physical challenges to support a range of charities and promote healthy lifestyles to their pupils. Both have loved ones who were injured in service and have been supported to rebuild their lives by the Army Benevolent Fund.
Lauren said, “After six months training, we are so looking forward to the Yomp. It will be physically tough and mentally challenging.
“However, it is nothing in comparison to the sacrifices our servicemen and women have made, and we want to support them in any way we can by raising funds for this fantastic charity.”
With four Yomps already under her belt, West Lothian-based Lorna Coulter, is hoping to bag her fifth ‘gold’ by completing the full distance of 54 miles in 24 hours with her teammates. She has so far raised over £8,500 – thanks to the generosity of her family, friends and colleagues.
Lorna says: “The Cateran Yomp is special, there’s incredible camaraderie. Veterans often face challenges, particularly with their mental health and some get a raw deal.
“I’m so grateful to everyone who’s helped me raise funds for the ABF, which gives far-reaching support for veterans, as well as serving soldiers and their families.”
The Army Benevolent Fund is here to support the Army community through life’s challenges – such as bereavement, getting back to work, elderly care, and much more besides. Last year, the ABF supported over 80,000 veterans, soldiers and their families in the UK and 51 countries around the world through its grants to individuals and other organisations, including several based in Scotland, such as Erskine and Bravehound.
Army veteran, mountaineer and ABF supporter, Mac Mackay, from Dornoch, is this year’s Cateran Yomp Ambassador and will be leading a team of veterans at the Yomp. Mac is the Chair of ABF partner charity, Climb 2 Recovery (C2R), which trains disabled and injured veterans to climb, and to get climbing qualifications.
Mac (69) says: “Without the help of organisations like the ABF, the work that Climb 2 Recovery does with veterans just will not happen.
“Good luck to this year’s Yompers – it’s tough, but the atmosphere gets you to the finishing line. And you will be supporting the Army Benevolent Fund, which is there for soldiers, veterans and their families, facing hardship and need.”
Yompers are gathering this year on the anniversary of D-Day and the event takes place ahead of VJ Day in August, marking the end of the Second World War in the East. The Army Benevolent Fund was set up 80 years ago, so that brave servicemen and women would never face the post-war hardships experienced by veterans of the First World War.
As thousands of ex-service men and women returned home, the Army Benevolent Fund was there with the help some needed. Its founding purpose remains unchanged today, and the welfare of soldiers, veterans, and their families is at the heart of its work.
