British elite soldiers running US Marine Corps Marathon (October 23, 2009)
A team of elite British soldiers are running this weekend in Washington’s annual US Marine Corps marathon to raise money for injured veterans on both sides of the Atlantic.
The ten participants, led by Brigadier James Chiswell MC, Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, join many others in raising money for wounded British and American Forces through the British Army Benevolent Fund America, and the American "Aid for Wounded Soldiers" sponsored by Azalea Charities.
Brigadier James Chiswell MC, Commander 16 Air Assault Brigade, said:
"16 Air Assault Brigade has completed three deployments in Afghanistan and will be returning to Helmand before long. We have of course taken our share of casualties and we are very aware of the exceptional work the British Army Benevolent Fund in America does to support our families and our wounded heroes, in parallel with the wider efforts of Azalea Charities.
"It gives us real pleasure to have the opportunity to bring a team across from the Brigade to run in the prestigious US Marine Corps Marathon and to help raise some money for BABFA. It is particularly poignant for us to be here given the exceptionally close working relationship we have with the US Marine Corps in southern Afghanistan."
Another British soldier, Ross Austen, a member of 59 (Commando) Squadron Royal Engineers, will also be taking part in the Marathon, in part on crutches and later in a wheelchair. Ross will be raising money for the Benevolent Fund, despite having been injured by an improvised explosive device in Helmand, Afghanistan in 2008 (for more information see http://www.active.com/donate/TeamAzalea2009/09RAusten). Ross’s father, brother and several friends are also participating in the marathon with him.
16 Air Assault Brigade, based in Colchester, Essex, has already deployed to Afghanistan three times since 2001 and it is likely the Brigade will deploy again next year to Helmand Province to work alongside the US Marine Corps, currently 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, based in the south of the Province.
16 AA Bde is the largest brigade in the British Army, is based around the famous Parachute Regiment (also known as the Paras), and is the British Army's premier rapid reaction force. The Marathon runners are from a cross section of units and regiments within the Brigade, including The Parachute Regiment, 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault), 216 Parachute Signal Squadron, and others.
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