44 Mile Run Fundraiser for British Injured Soldiers

D-Day 44, the ultimate all-terrain charity run, will take place on 6th June in Normandy.

Now in its third year, the 44-mile run is mapped across 5 beach heads used by the allies on D-Day, beginning on the border of Utah beach at Pointe du Hoc at 8am French time and finishing at Café Gondree, the first house in occupied France that was liberated on D-Day, for celebration champagne at 9pm. In addition to the stunning scenery and fantastic atmosphere, D-Day 44 presents a truly rewarding challenge for passionate adventure and sport enthusiasts.

Fundraising for wounded soldiers

Alongside a huge international effort to celebrate such an important historical day, D-Day 44 captures the imagination and strikes a note in most peoples hearts. Representing the national Charity, BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Service Men's Association), D-Day 44 will donate all funds raised to supporting our service men and women who lost their limbs and eyesight, or the use of their limbs and eye sight, in the service of our country.

Supporting soldiers who have lost lives and limbs

Lt Col Mike McErlain and Giles Barnes, both passionate about history as well as a challenge, initiated the D-Day 44 in 2008. Commenting on the run, Giles Barnes said, "The D-Day beaches are the ultimate location to stage this level of remembrance. Running 44 miles cross country in a day is seriously hard work but one is constantly reminded and humbled while doing the challenge of the soldiers past and present who lost their lives or the loss of their limbs while taking part in protecting our way of life."

Representing amputee soldiers

Co-founder of D-Day 44, Lt Col Mike McErlain, an orthopaedic surgeon in the armed forces, has first hand experience particularly in Iraq of the destructive nature of war. Mike is heavily involved with amputees and felt the best way of representing these unfortunate soldiers was to dedicate a remarkable run to them. Mike comments, "We believe that the run will reach people on many different levels; there will be those who want to achieve a certain level of fitness and will want to prove something to themselves, others will be fascinated to run over such an important historical site, while others will feel this is a great opportunity to help raise money for people they feel really deserve it. The run also gives people the opportunity to feel really patriotic, running and remembering one of Britain's finest moments."

Giles added, "Previously, the American, Canadian and other nationality runners experienced that same sense of pride. D-Day 44 is a great way to remind runners from different parts of the world how close and supportive we all were to each other. So lots of different emotions are conjured up by this run."

Although the bulk of runners will want to run the entire course, the organisers are aware that some participants will only wish to run a portion of this run. Others may wish to run with friends and form a relay system. Every portion of the run is an adventure within itself and for this reason the organisers are happy to accommodate any type of participation.

Heroic British soldiers past and present

D-Day 44 runners are given the space and environment to fully appreciate the sacrifices made by our forefathers as well as current servicemen who have bravely fought to protect our way of life. The run is open to both civilian and military runners of any nationality. To take part in D-Day 44 or for further information, please visit http://www.ddayrun.com

Meet our amputee Members

Read the stories of our Members, meet those who need our support

• Matt Wollard, wounded soldier – Afghanistan
• Kevin Woodford, wounded soldier – Falklands
• Jerome Church, wounded soldier – N Ireland
• Joe Davies, wounded soldier – WWII
• Adam 'Goolie' Ball – wounded soldier – Afghanistan

Click here to see how you can suport our wounded soldiers

Click here to donate to BLESMA