Although SSgt (SSI) Robbie Conway completed his Run to Remember on 7 October, the GoFundMe page remains open until Armistice Day on 11 November. As we come together to reflect and remember, you can still donate and be part of this tribute. Your contribution helps keep their memory alive.
Over more than 25 hours, in wind and rain, Robbie completed 457 laps and 113.59 miles. Each lap stood for one of the 457 British service personnel who lost their lives in Afghanistan. He carried a model tree holding the eulogy of every one of them. At the end of each lap, one eulogy came off the tree and was displayed, so that every individual was named, honoured and remembered.
Most of us will never run 113 miles. Most of us will never stand in the rain at hour twenty-three, with legs that have stopped listening, because a fallen soldier deserves one more lap. Robbie did, and he did it for people who cannot thank him.
However, he did not do it alone; his wife Stacey flew in from Kenya to support him and colleagues from 1 Sig Regt and the Army PT Corps stood with him through the night. General AJ Smith of the Royal Signals ran a couple of laps beside him and, many more people gave their time, their energy and their presence. The question is whether the rest of us will give something too.
So far £3,707 has been raised, that is a fantastic total, but it is not the finish line. Every pound goes to causes that carry this work forward: The Royal British Legion, the UK Afghan Veterans Community, the RAPTC Association and the Royal Signals Charity. Robbie is not a Royal Signals soldier, yet he will give a split of the profits to the Royal Signals Charity. That is the character behind this challenge.
The run is part of the wider Trees for Troops effort, which keeps 457 trees growing near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, one for each life lost. Trees take years to grow, and the people who stand behind them need support for just as long.
It is easy to read about a challenge like this, feel a flicker of respect and scroll on and that is how a cause fades once the event is over. The finish line was crossed weeks ago, the news has moved on, but the page is still open, but not for long.
You do not need to give a fortune. However, Robbie would be very grateful if you gave something. A few pounds is a small price for 457 lives, 457 laps and 25 hours in the rain. If Robbie could keep going when every part of him wanted to stop, we can manage a minute on a phone to donate.
Make your donation before 11th November. On the day the nation falls silent to remember, let this page show that we did more than stand still for two minutes. Donate, share the page, and tell someone else to share it.
Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Robbies-Run-to-Remember
