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Ian Mantel

My Frontline Walk 2024

Donate to Ian and help them hit their goal of £500!

My Activity Tracking

102
mi

My target 100 mi

I'm supporting the Army Benevolent Fund in recognition of the service provided to our nation by The Army

Every soldier, whether they are currently serving or a veteran, has signed a blank cheque to the value of their life to the nation, our monarch and the population at large.

Their skill, dedication, bravery and guts are awesome.

So I'm going to walk 100 miles (161 Kms) in November to raise funds for the Army Benevolent Fund.

 I'm inspired by the work of the Army Benevolent Fund and wanted to support them by raising money as part of my participation in My Frontline Walk. Please help me help them by giving whatever you can use the 'Donate' button.

The more people that know about the Army Benevolent Fund, the greater their impact, so please also spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and family.

Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot.

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

£305 + £60.10 GiftAid

My Goal

£500

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My Achievements

Raised £0

Raised £100

Raised £250

Raised £500

Raised £1,000

Raised £1,500

Raised £2,000

Raised £3,000

Raised £5,000

Raised £10,000

Raised £20,000

Raised £40,000

Raised £60,000

Raised £80,000

Raised £100,000

My Updates

How does your support help a soldier or a veteran?

Have you ever wondered what your donations go towards and how even quite small ammounts can help?
.
£50 - could help cover travel costs so a veteran can attend a job interview.
£75 - could go towards the cost of a temporary wheelchair ramp, allowing an injured soldier to enter and leave their home.
£250 - could contribute towards the care home fees of a frail elderly veteran who requires continuous care.
So please do show your support for our Army by donating to my fund raising page. Thanks

'Rain clearing to the south' gave me smashing views on today's walk

Living by the sea you do get the chance to see some fantastic views.
Overnight we had rain here in Hastings but by 7:30 it had moved over the English Channel. This gave wonderful views from Hastings Country Park and the Firehills,
Regrettably, many ex-soldiers will never get to see these views, maybe due to loss of eyesight or maybe disability preventing them travelling or being able to negotiate the rough tracks we walk.
You can do your bit by clicking on the donate button on my page and showing your support to a British Soldier in time for Christmas.

Day 16 and 100Km smashed!

My walk today has taken me over the 100Km target for the Army Benevolent Fund Frontline Walk. From the beginning I targetted myself 100 miles - just because I could! So in fact I'm 63 miles down with 37 left to do.

Day 14 of 100 miles in November and I'm over halway

Today sees me break the 80.5Km or 50 mile barrier. Halfway there!
I've also climbed the equivalent of climbing Britain's 2 highest mountains, Ben Nevis and Snowden, over 2,400m or 8,000ft
And to be honest, it's great to get outdoors first thing in the morning.
As the photo shows, today Bonnie and I were joing by Lenny. The two of them love running through the woods and on the Firehills.
Do return to my page after reading this and please click the 'donate' button before you go. Thanks

Day 13 and already I've climbed over 2,000m

After a day off train driving it's back to walking today. And I've marked off another target. So far I've climbed over 2Km, as of now its actually 2,211 metres since the beginning of November.

Day 11, Armistice Day

Today Bonnie and I collected Lenny so we could walk through Alexandra Park and pay tribute at the Borough war memorial.
Honour the dead, support the living.

Day 10, ths sun is peeping out and it's a lovely day for a walk

Bonnie and I went off for our walk and decided to follow Fairlight Glen down to the sea today. The step that have been carved into the cliff with rope to ease your descent really are useful in getting to the beach. Don't forget it is "Clothing Optional". From here we headed east to Excclesbourne Glen with its smashing views before following a path we've not walked before to get back to Barley Lane
Lots of climbing but a great walk.

Smashed my first target - now to aim higher

Fantastic! You folks are great, I've now raised ovr £100 for the Army Benevolent Fund. Thankyou!
Now to stretch a bit and aim for £250. Do you think I can do it?
Well I will with your help.

Day 7, Morning walk on a grey and breezy beach

As Lenny had a sleepover with his sister last night he joined us on Winchelsea Beach this morning. And it was a grey morning with an easterly wind blowing.
Great fun was had sending up a flock of at least 100 cormorants and then running in and out of the water.
For me it wasn't a long walk, but the dogs must have covered twice my distance.
So far I have covered over 40Km in just 1 week - well on target!
It really is something to be on the beach just after sunrise on a grey autumn day with no one else in sight for miles.

Day 6 and a serious message

In November we, as a nation, pay tribute to our armed forces. And rightly so. The video below explains how Army Benevolent Fund has offered support to one military family. And they can't do this without your donations.
Being retired I have the time to fund raise, and I am lucky to have my fitness, so I choose to push myself by undertaking physical challenges as a focus for my fund raising.
Please watch this video and if you feel you can contribute please visit my fundraising page.
https://youtu.be/rwlnp_nBOFk?feature=shared

Day 5, a day of two halves

Due to tradesmen due in this morning, Bonnie and I did a shorter walk on the Country Park, just over 2 miles. Made up for it this afternoon with a lovely walk around Guestling Woods. Again i did just over 2 miles, but Bonnie must have done at least 3 if not more - she does love the woods

Day 4 and another good walk

Can't believe how benign the weather is. This time last year we had storms and fallen trees.
Still overcast but very still and with a hint of sun on the horizon. The cattle and ponies are on the hills. Did not see the ponies but walked past the cattle on one footpath.

Day 3, joined by Abi and Lenny

A more leisurely start today as i was joined by Abi, Fez and Lenny. Another calm and overcast day - ideal for walking through Hastings Country park and the Firehills.
So whilst I'm walking I think how I'm doing between 4 and 5 miles, with no pack and no stress.
Imagine being force marched 40-50 miles with full pack under threat of enemy attack.
So please, help our soldiers and their families - the veterans and widows. Click the 'Donate' button today

Day 2, 3.2 miles and why I'm supporting the ABF

So day 2, Saturday 2 November. Up at 7am and head off with Bonnie to a rather grey Hastings Country Park. But it's still mild and calm.
So why have I moved my allegiance to The Army Benevolent Fund?
The answer is simple. They have much lower overheads and don't waste money on gimmicks such as DEI. More of the money you donate will go directly to helping soldiers, veterans and their families.
So dig deep and donate today.

Day one done, 4.5 miles before breakfast

Up with the lark this morning, Bonnie and I set off to Hastings Country Park and The Firehills. Lovely mild day, still but overcast.
And I have my first sponsorship! Thanks Kim!

I'm looking forward to walking 100 miles in November

I walk with 'Bonnie' most mornings, come rain or shine. Our favourite walks are Hastings Country Park, The Firehill, Guestling Woods and of course, Pett Level Beach.
Already the ground is sodden so the paths are very muddy, and of course it's dark in the morning.
But on good days we see lovely sunrises this time of year.
So look out for Bonnie and I as we pace the miles this November.

Thank you to my Sponsors

£100

Complete Solar Ltd

Best of luck with your challenge!

£28.08

Angela

Good job Ian and Bonnie, you’ll smash it.

£26

Ian Ritchie

Well done mate! Sorry to be late on parade with the donation!

£26

Kim Mantel

Walk, hubby, walk!

£26

Abi & Fez

It’s inspiring knowing you’re always up for a challenge, especially one that’s for a great cause! Well done dad, smash the last 10 days on the month. Also thank you for taking Lenny along with you!

£26

Anonymous

£26

Ian Mitchell

Get back on your bike Ian! After you’ve walked 100 miles!

£15.60

Andrew Cubison

£10.40

Paul Critchley

Great start to you Frontline Walk journey! Enjoy the rest of it!!

£10.40

Marguerite Moore

Well done Ian !

£10.40

Ann Hodkinson

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