Paratrooper runs 75 miles carrying 36lb kit to commemorate the VE Day 75th anniversary

A paratrooper ran 75 miles to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Paratrooper, Rikki Turner, ran 75 miles with the help of his friend, Paul BamfordParatrooper, Rikki Turner, ran 75 miles with the help of his friend, Paul Bamford
Paratrooper, Rikki Turner, ran 75 miles with the help of his friend, Paul Bamford

Rikki Turner, who has been laid-off from work due to the COVID-19 crisis, decided to utilise his time to help other people get fit and healthy.

He made a Facebook group called ‘Daily Fitness Challenge’, in which he sets group members different kinds of physical challenges to help them achieve their fitness goals, while raising money for the families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19.

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Rikki also joins in with the challenges, and over the weekend, he ran 75 miles to raise more funds for his cause.

Rikki Turner, who has been laid-off from work due to the COVID-19 crisis, decided to utilise his time to help other people get fit and healthyRikki Turner, who has been laid-off from work due to the COVID-19 crisis, decided to utilise his time to help other people get fit and healthy
Rikki Turner, who has been laid-off from work due to the COVID-19 crisis, decided to utilise his time to help other people get fit and healthy

Rikki said: “I came up with the idea a week before the VE day anniversary - I thought it would be really nice to cover one mile for every year since VE day happened.

“So over the course of Friday to Sunday, I ran 75 miles carrying 36 pounds of kit, which is the standard weight that troops usually carry.

“My first route took me from Airedale to Pontefract Hospital, onto Pinderfields and then down by Stanley Ferry.

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"People were social distancing but they still came out to applaud me.”

Rikki said he is overwhelmed with the love and support people have shown towards his causeRikki said he is overwhelmed with the love and support people have shown towards his cause
Rikki said he is overwhelmed with the love and support people have shown towards his cause

On the second two legs of the journey, Rikki’s best friend, Paul Bamford, joined him on his run to show his support.

Rikki said: “We went to the side of York Marina on the Saturday, which left me with 26 miles to clear on Sunday.

“I got back into Castleford at around 3pm and everyone was waving their flags out and clapping, it was brilliant.”

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Rikki said he is overwhelmed with the love and support people have shown towards his cause.

He is also well on his way to reaching his £5,000 target for the families who have lost their loved ones to COVID-19.

Rikki said: “I thought I’d be a bit out of practice as I haven’t carried that kind of weight in ages.

“My mate Paul did an amazing job, he carried extra supplies with no training whatsoever, so credit to him for completing the last two legs of the journey with me with no recovery time.

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“I surprised myself too, I felt alright every morning and just cracked on, my moving time was 75 mile in 17 hours.

“I’m still overwhelmed by all the community spirit from my Facebook group members, they’ve taken it upon themselves to support me in my cause.

“Some group members even did a 75 mile bike ride over the weekend to show their support. We’ve even got people in Australia and New Zealand joining in with the challenges.

“I started the group for friends but it really took off now there’s over a thousand people in there who are all strangers wishing each other well, it’s pretty special.

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“Having that support has really helped me too, people have been telling me how much the group and the challenges have benefited their mental and physical health, I’ve done everything I set out to do and more.”

To donate and help Rikki reach his £5000 target visit his JustGiving page or to join Rikki's Facebook group click here