Iron Hog Challenge for Veterans fund
On 26th August, Major Tony Finch, Sgt. Major Jack Hargreaves and Major Warren Mahoney will visit all 30 Harley Davidson dealerships across the UK in just 60 hours as part of the Iron Hog Challenge. To find out more about the rules of this challenge, please click here.
They are taking on the challenge to raise awareness and funds for the Sussex Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club, part of the Sussex Armed Forces Network which is supported by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Major Warren Mahoney explains: "The Sussex Armed Forces Network teams work tirelessly within the community with our nation's veterans. The work carried out by these champions is outstanding. The Breakfast Club initiative gives veterans, some living with the strain of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues, an opportunity to access friendly support and advice over a brew and a bacon butty.
"This specialist advice is free. Support is available from the Sussex Partnership team, benefits advisors and armed forces charities including Veterans UK, Royal British Legion, Combat Stress and SSAFA - the armed forces charity. All these specialist advisors give time to the veterans, and their families, in an attempt to help those of us who carry the invisible scars borne from a time in service."
Major Finch, who will be riding his 31 year old Harley for the challenge, served for 44 years as a reservist and in his current role as a Staff Officer supports serving personnel and families as they prepare for the return to civilian life. Major Finch has gained real insight into the importance of timely mental health support. He says:
"As a Unit Welfare Officer, Mental Health First Aider and Trauma Risk Management Coordinator and Practitioner, I have been able to help direct people to the support they need. Having seen and experienced the change in attitude towards mental health and wellbeing of service leavers and veterans, the one thing I have learnt is this: the more people that know of the support that is available the better, resulting in there being fewer of those that need help and slipping through the net."
The Crawley & Horsham Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club was formed on 17th November 2019, and at their first breakfast there were 12 people. The club has grown over the past year and there are now over 100 members, the majority of which are local Crawley veterans. Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, the group met twice a month to share food, conversation and support. The group membership ranges from people aged 28 right through to the oldest member who is 97. During lockdown the support has had to become more virtual, however the club was able to arrange a socially distanced breakfast in July with more than 40 members attending.
The Iron Hog challengers have a gruelling schedule and are determined to complete the route in the 60 hour time limit. If successful, the team will be the first to complete the challenge visiting all 30 sites across England, Scotland and Wales in the time limit. But, this challenge is about so much more than that.
Major Finch explains: "Through the Iron Hog Challenge, we want to raise awareness of the support that is available for service leavers and veterans. We hear a lot of negativity about the support available, what we hardly ever hear about is the diversity and depth of support available. This challenge will take perseverance to complete, sometimes when we meet that person that needs support, we need to persevere in getting them to that support."
If you would like to support the challengers, please click here.
You can find out more about the Sussex Armed Forces Breakfast Club here.