Click Manchester
by Marielle Roux, Published Fri 30 Mar 2012 00:01
Nissan and The Afghanistan Trust announce sponsored trek across North Africa to raise funds for injured paratroopers and the families of colleagues killed in action
As part of its ongoing commitment to the injured soldiers and their families in The Parachute Regiment, Nissan, alongside The Afghanistan Trust, has organised Mission Morocco 2012 – a 14 day sponsored trek across North Africa to raise £40,000 for The Parachute Regiment charity.
Mission Morocco 2012 will be carried out by four inspirational servicemen who have all been injured in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. Two of the soldiers taking part in the trek have lost a leg below the knee and all, despite their injuries, are still active in the Regiment. They will be supported by a number of Nissan employees.
The trek, which will start on 18th April 2012 and depart from The Parachute Regiment’s barracks in Colchester and Nissan HQ in Rickmansworth, will be undertaken in specially adapted Nissan Navaras, which will be used to make the epic journey across North Africa and is part of the car brand’s ongoing commitment to raise £250,000 for the Trust.
Colin Smith MBE, CEO of the Afghanistan Trust says of the mission; “The trek will see some of The Parachute Regiment’s most talented and dedicated servicemen take on the Moroccan desert to help raise funds that will directly benefit their colleagues. Despite suffering injuries themselves, these men’s courage and selfless determination to help others in need and their families is inspiring.â€
A series of specially designed challenges will be carried out in the middle of the Moroccan desert by injured paratroopers Sergeant Jackson, Privates Vidler, Burns and Ford and a selection of Nissan staff. These challenges will include seeking out a safe house by cover of darkness, carrying out mine clearing exercises, GPS navigation tasks in the Navaras and a ten mile march.
Jim Wright, managing director of Nissan GB said: “Nissan is dedicated to raising £250,000 for the Afghanistan Trust and Mission Morocco 2012 is one element of this commitment. The funds raised will help to pay for important support for injured paratroopers, their families and the families of those paratroopers who have tragically lost their lives in Afghanistan. We hope the nation will get behind these incredibly brave men who have given up their time to take on the challenges in the desert heat – to help support our paras.â€
To find out more about Mission Morocco 2012 or to donate, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/2012missionmorocco or http://www.afghanistantrust.org/. To Donate via text message, text PARA55 plus your donation amount to 70070, for example PARA55 £10. 100% of your donation will be received by The Afghanistan Trust and you will also get a text back confirming how you can add Gift Aid to your donation.
Sergeant Alan Jackson – (29), Colchester
Deployed to Afghanistan in October 2010 as a member of C Coy, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. As a section commander in charge of eight paratroopers he led his men on countless patrols of the Shaheed area of Nad-e-Ali District in Helmand Province, facing the ever constant threat of Taliban gunmen and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). On 5th February 2011 Sgt Jackson took part in a patrol to the south of Shaheed to deter insurgent activity and to reassure the locals living in the area. Just before midday the Company Sergeant Major, WO2 Colin Beckett, stood on an IED which detonated and killed him instantly. Due to return to the UK in a few days for his leave and to be present for the birth of his first child, the loss of WO2 Beckett was the cruellest of blows for the company.
In the aftermath of the explosion Sgt Jackson moved to the scene to assist with the recovery of his equipment, some of which had been blown hundreds of metres, such was the magnitude of the blast. Whilst moving to recover WO2 Beckett’s rifle Sgt Jackson stood on a second IED, again detonating it. Sgt Jackson suffered serious injuries to his right leg, suffering a traumatic amputation through the knee. In addition he lost 8% of his right forearm and 20% of his left calf as a result of the fragmentation. Given immediate first aid by his fellow paratroopers he was then airlifted to Camp Bastion for emergency medical treatment.
Upon returning to the UK Sgt Jackson spent six weeks in The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham before moving to Headley Court to begin his long road to recovery. Unwilling to allow his injuries to break his spirit Sgt Jackson has made a remarkable recovery and has now returned to work full time where he helps coordinate Parachute training. His attitude and desire to ‘soldier on’ has been an inspiration to all those around him and epitomises the ethos of The Parachute Regiment. However, his regular trips to Headley Court for rehabilitation are a constant reminder of the severity and permanent nature of his injuries and of the life changing events that took place on that tragic day last February.
Private Pete Burns (25), Poulton Le Fylde
Pte Burns joined the army in 2008 and after competing his training was posted to 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. He deployed to Afghanistan in October 2010 as a Machine Gunner within 7 Platoon, C Company, for what was his first operational tour.
On the 17th January 2011 7 Platoon were conducting a patrol in the Shaheed area of Nad-e-Ali District in Helmand Province. As with any area of Helmand Province the threat of Taliban gunmen and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) was ever present, but the danger in Shaheed was particularly high given the lack of ISAF presence in the town before the arrival of C Company. In fact, the company had already discovered a number of IEDs in the preceding days and as a result had begun to earn the trust of the locals.
At approximately 1000hrs Pte Burns stepped on a pressure plate IED which detonated and caused serious injuries to his left leg. Given immediate first aid by Pte Nicklin, who had walked on the ground surrounding the IED only moments before him, Pte Burns was airlifted to Camp Bastion for emergency medical treatment where he had his leg amputated below the knee. Despite the severity of the injuries he still maintained his sense of humour whilst awaiting the medical helicopter, a testament to his courage and an inspiration to the rest of his patrol.
Upon returning to the UK Pte Burns spent time in The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham before moving to Headley Court to begin his rehabilitation. It has been a tough journey for Pte Burns but he has ultimately not allowed his injuries to break his spirit. Having recently completed an intensive period of rehabilitation and physiotherapy he is now very mobile on his prosthetic limb and is growing in strength by the day. The manner in which he has conducted himself since that fateful day has been a fine example of the spirit and ethos of The Parachute Regiment and has acted as an excellent example to all those around him.
Private Mark Vidler (22), Canterbury, Kent
Private Mark Vidler is a serving soldier in The 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA), and is currently based in The Recovery Platoon.
Before joining The Parachute Regiment he worked as a carpenter for nearly five years but influenced by his family history, Pte Vidler decided to join the British Army and chose The Parachute Regiment. After completing the demanding selection and training at ITC Catterick, Pte Vidler joined 2 PARA in May 2010. In Oct 2010 he deployed on Op HERRICK 13 to the PB1 area of operations in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand Province. Serving with D Coy, Pte Vidler proved himself to be an outstanding soldier, operating as a Vallon Man and identifying six Improvised Explosive Devices. This outstanding feat was formally recognised and Pte Vidler was awarded a Mention in Dispatches for his actions. On 14 Mar 2011 Pte Vidler’s patrol was ambushed with small arms fire and he consequently received enemy fire to the right leg. With serious wounds, he was flown to the UK and moved to Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital, only six weeks from the tour completion date.
During his three weeks in hospital and three months at Headley Court, Pte Vidler was supported by the Afghan Trust with transport to and from appointments and his home. Since his return to the battalion he has been a member of The Recovery Platoon and has displayed impressive determination and enthusiasm. Pte Vidler is unwilling to allow his injuries to hamper him and intends on rejoining a rifle company and progressing within The Parachute Regiment.
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