5:00pm Thursday 9th July 2009
RED Devils landed in Swindon over the weekend.
The world-class daredevil parachutists descended on Redlands Farm, Wanborough, on Saturday as part of the Jump For Heroes event that rolled through Swindon on the way to John O’Groats.
Jamal Abbasi and Arklay Purdie, two reservists in the parachute regiment, have already travelled 1,000 miles on their way down from Land’s End to raise money for injured servicemen from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
Jamal, who served in Iraq, and Arklay, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, organised parachute jumps at numerous points along their journey, in which they have raised £9,000.
The pair hope to raise thousands more before finishing the gruelling 90-mile a day ride on July 12.
During the journey, Jamal said both riders visited Selly Oak Military Camp, in Birmingham, and Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre, in London, to meet injured and recuperating soldiers.
The Yorkshire resident said: “It was a really harrowing moment when I met all these brave men and women in these facilities, with injuries ranging from sporting injuries to some who had their legs blown off by booby traps.
“We have raised a lot of money and over the last few years I think the perception about the military is changing and people are starting to realise that we have no influence over the Government’s foreign policy.
“We just go out there and serve and we need support.
Anyone who wants to donate money to their cause or to take part in any of the upcoming jumps is asked to visit the website which can be found at www.ijumpforheroes.com.
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