A BROMSGROVE podiatrist will take on a 110km charity trek, following the same route as those involved in the D-Day Landings.
Adrian Kriss will set off on Monday, June 3, with light infantry veteran Paul Thorner and 30 of his comrades, starting at Utah Beach and arriving at Pegasus Bridge in time for the D-Day Landings’ 80th anniversary on Thursday, June 6.
En route, the group will journey through Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches, following in the footsteps, and in recognition of, Mjr John Howard who led six platoons from D-Company, The Ox and Bucks Light Infantry supported by the Royal Engineer detachment to capture the bridge.
The challenge, raising cash for The Rifles Benevolent Fund – Care for Casualties, has been named ‘Mission Ham and Jam’. ‘Ham’ was the code word used when the canal bridge was captured and ‘Jam’ referred to the river bridge.
The charity was set up in 2009 to support British servicemen and women from The Rifles, wounded or injured during service in Iraq or Afghanistan and those suffering from PTSD which has led to soldiers taking their own lives in the past.
The last time some of the trek’s participating veterans were on Omaha beach was four decades ago for the 40th anniversary, when they were young Soldiers for the 1st Battalion the Light Infantry.
As well as raising funds and the profile of the trek, Adrian will also be the group’s podiatrist.
Adrian also took on the Murph Challenge on May 26 in recognition of the Navy Seal who died in Afghanistan following an IED explosion. The feat involved a mile-run followed by 100 pull-ups, 200 press-ups and 300 squats, and then another run, whilst wearing a 10kg weighted vest.
As he has done it previously, the funds raised from the Murph Challenge will also go towards ‘Care for Casualties’.
Adrian said: “I have always felt life was always about being thankful and giving back which was one of the reasons I stood as councillor, initially for Rubery South and subsequently, in 2021, for Beacon.
“We should never forget those who gave their life for the benefit of others, especially coming up to the 80th anniversary of those beach landings.
“We should also not forget our lives could change at any time, as there are those that wish us harm and our soldiers are ready to fight for our freedom we so often take for granted.
“But when our soldiers have finished serving they can sometimes feel distanced from their families and a normal civilian life.
“PTSD is not something visibly obvious and that is why I feel the support from charities such as Care for Casualties is so important.”
Visit justgiving.com/page/hamandjam24 for more on the trek and to donate – donors should leave their name followed by ‘AK’ in the text.
