24 Jun 2014
Last weekend four servicemen, all injured while serving in Afghanistan, ran in the Normandy Marathon “Le Marathon de la Liberté” (also known as D-Day Landings Marathon) and completed the 26.2 mile course. This was their unique way of paying their personal respects to those who took part in the D-Day Landings, in particular to those from the division with which they themselves are affiliated: the Royal Marines, Infantry, Territorials, Special Forces and Airborne Division.
Each of the four (one is still serving) is an NFA beneficiary and has met many D-Day veterans at NFA events and activities. They were accompanied on the trip by two Royal Marines D-Day veterans who had been unable to attend the 70th Anniversary commemorations. This challenge embodied one of the key aims of the NFA, of strengthening comradeship with other veterans.
The marathon route incorporated major milestones of the Normandy Landings; Juno and Sword Beaches, Caen and Pegasus Bridge adding a historical relevance to this intense sporting challenge as the runners followed the route of the 1944 invasion force.
NFA Head of Events Rosie Thompson, who also ran the marathon commented “This marathon was a huge personal achievement for everyone involved. The race authorities had set a five hour deadline to complete the run, but a couple of our team could not complete it in time so they had to persuade the officials to let them finish as they were so determined to do it out of respect for those who took part in D-Day. We were supported along the route by two Normandy veterans who had recounted their experiences to the younger ones. We also had great local support for the runners and for the older veterans”
Online donations to the NFA can be made via www.justgiving.com/Rosie-Thompson70
For more information on The Not Forgotten Association and images, visit http://www.nfassociation.org
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For more information, please contact:
Representation Plus
Alison Cryer
Email:alison@representationplus.co.uk
Tel: 020 8877 4504
The Not Forgotten Association
In August 1920 Marta Cunningham established The “NOT FORGOTTEN” Association with the object of providing entertainment and recreation for the war wounded to alleviate the tedium of their lives and give them something to which they could look forward.
In 1926 the Association officially defined its task as being 'to provide comfort, cheer and entertainment for the wounded ex-servicemen still in hospital as a result of the Great War'. As the years went on the Association has adapted to meet changing needs and extended its activities to include those wounded in more recent conflicts. It continues to provide support to approximately 10,000 men and women each year.
