Runners get set to remember soldiers (From Swindon Advertiser)

Runners get set to remember soldiers

7:10pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in News By Scott D'Arcy

HUNDREDS of runners are lining up to take part in the The Royal British Legion’s first Run2Remember.

The Run2Remember is open to all ages and abilities, will take place at 11am on Saturday, November 10 in Lydiard Park.

Participants can chose to run either an 11km circuit or a 1.1km route.

To kick off the event the Military Wives Choir, from the Defence Academy, in Shrivenham, will be performing their new single Together We’re stronger, before 20 of the choir take part in the run.

Military Wives Choir member Caroline Rawlins said: “We’ve all been training hard and we can’t wait. It’s such a great opportunity for people to come together, pay tribute to members of the Armed Forces and raise money for a great cause.”

Some of those already preparing to run include veterans of all ages, their friends and families, local schools and organisations, and other supporters of the legion's work.

Run2Remember also has a number of Service personnel taking part, including The Royal Air Force Division of the Joint Services Command and Staff College, the Royal Air Force Support Helicopter Squadrons and the Lincs Army Cadets.

Leading the runners as they set off will be the legion’s beneficiary and former Private in the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment Aron Shelton.

Aron his left leg amputated after a vehicle he was travelling in hit a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

Aron was supported through his Disability Living Allowance tribunal by the legion and successfully won his claim.

“The legion has helped me – now I’m helping the legion in return,” he said. “I’m so proud to be starting the Run2Remember.”

The legion’s director of fundraising, Charles Byrne, said: “We’ve got almost 450 people taking part in Run2Remember and are inviting others to run in honour of our service community.” To take part in Run2Remember, visit www.run2remember.org.uk.