#BritishArmyLogistics Private Richard Lake of 167 Regiment RLC details his challenging journey to breaking a new World Record tabbing back-to-back marathons in support of mental health awareness and veterans’ charities. My journey to completing 30 back-to-back marathons began on the morning of 13 Mar 21 which started like every other Saturday for me - chatting with friends at the Veterans’ Breakfast Club in Grantham. I was with my close family friend and veteran, Simon Auckland. Simon was opening up to me about his current struggles with his mental health and what he was saying really struck a chord with me. Until this point, nobody was aware that I had attempted to take my own life in 2015, as I too had suffered mental health issues. I wanted to ensure that Simon knew he didn’t have to deal with his problems alone, so I opened up to him about my past to show support. Upon leaving the Breakfast Club, I couldn’t shrug off what Simon had said. Knowing he was struggling had hit me hard and I wanted him to know how much he was loved and appreciated by us all. Arriving home, I spoke with my wife and told her that I wanted to do something for Simon and that is when I had the idea of tabbing 30 back-to-back marathons consecutively for 30 days – a challenge that would be new World Record. I immediately rang Simon and told him what I was planning to do and it was agreed that I would also carry a total weight of 28kg and that I would also raise money for charity. I decided to raise money for Battle Back Golf – a programme originally founded at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre in 2009. The programme has proven successful
8 Pte Lake celebrating with his son Davey
CHARITY | THE SUSTAINER
Private sets new world record in support of veterans’ mental health
8 Personnel from 167 Regt RLC supporting Pte Lake at the start of his challenge
8 Pte Lake successfully raised £6,740 for charity in supplementing the physical, psychological and cognitive rehabilitation of over 200 serving and veteran personnel (including Simon who was introduced to the charity in 2017 after receiving life-changing injuries which sadly ended his military career). I knew that I would need at least eight hours per day to complete the challenge, but I was unsure how I would arrange the time without having to take 30 days unpaid leave. It later dawned on me that in Grantham there is a funeral director and veteran, Jason Price, who might be able to help. I decided to put the idea to him and asked if it was possible for him to pay my monthly wage. To my surprise, he agreed, giving me the green light that I needed to start my event. Jason also runs an organisation called ‘Detecting for Veterans’ and I therefore decided that in return for kindly agreeing to cover my wages, I would raise money for
his organisation as well as Battle Back Golf. I began my challenge on 22 Mar 21 and the night before, my stomach was in knots. On the morning of the challenge, I was starting from Price and Sons Funeral Directors, accompanied by my Regimental 2IC Major Roger Marshall, Squadron 2IC Captain Claire Richards, Regimental Adjutant Captain John Gajdus and Regimental Sergeant Major WO1 Paul Jordan. I felt privileged to have them there to start what was undoubtably going to be the hardest challenge of my life. Over the next three weeks, I faced countless challenges, both mentally and physically. I discovered things about myself that I didn’t previously know; I am robust, I am determined and I proud to have used my own mental health troubles to show others that you can get through it and you can succeed. I want to thank all those who came out and supported me, in particular the personnel from 167 Regiment RLC and my family and friends. Also, to Jason Price as without him, the challenge never would have happened. Finally, thank you to all who donated - I set myself a target of raising £5,000 but to smash that and raise a grand total of £6,740 is unbelievable.
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