Sales manager runs 80 miles in May to raise funds for Armed Forces charity and mark 80th anniversary of D-Day landings
A Vistry Group sales manager has run 80 miles in a month to raise money for a charity that supports members of the Armed Forces and their families and to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Stuart Brooks, area sales manager at Vistry Kent, tackled the 80-mile challenge in aid of SSAFA and ran the last seven miles on the Normandy beach where British forces landed as part of the Allied invasion of France on 6 June 1944.
Stuart, 38, from Haywards Heath, has so far collected in £1,450 on an online fundraising page for SSAFA – The Armed Forces charity, which is Vistry’s national chosen charity this year.
The organisation – the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association – provides a support service for serving personnel, veterans and their families. The charity provides financial assistance, friendship visits, and helps with advice on welfare rights, housing services, disability equipment and modifications.
Stuart, who is married with two children, decided to raise money for SSAFA after seeing an online advert for the 80-mile challenge to commemorate the anniversary of Operation Overlord.
“I took up running during the Covid lockdown and thought this 80-mile run would be a great way to challenge myself, raise money for SSAFA and to commemorate the D-Day landings,” he said. “I set myself a target of running 20 miles a week every week in May to complete the task.
“It wasn’t easy fitting the running sessions in with my busy home and work life but Dillon, our four-year-old Cockapoo, was delighted to join me on some of the runs at 6.30am on Saturdays or at 7am before work. I also topped up my running total on the treadmill at the gym when the weather was not so good.”
Stuart travelled to France for a two-night trip with a friend and ran the last seven miles on Gold Beach on Thursday 30 May.
“I have been fascinated with the Second World War since childhood and particularly the incredible story about the D-Day landings,” he said. “I thought it would be a nice touch to finish the challenge on the actual beach where British troops landed on that day.
“I started my run on Gold Beach at 6.30am, which was the time that troops landed on the shore back in 1944. It was a moving and poignant experience for me and the thought of those courageous soldiers inspired me.
“I would like to thank everyone who has donated to my fund as I have smashed my £1,000 target. It is an honour to raise funds for a caring charity which offers hope and assistance to such a deserving group of people and their families.”
Mary McHutchison, regional sales director for Vistry Kent, said: “We are proud of our ongoing relationship with SSAFA and the fact that this fabulous organisation is our chosen charity of the year. All of our staff have embraced the link with this charity and are doing what they can to help and support our fundraising efforts.
“Stuart has taken the challenge to raise funds for SSAFA and quite literally run with it. His incredible effort and determination in running 80 miles in a month will not only help provide vital funds for SSAFA but will also prove an inspiration to his colleagues.”
To donate to Stuart’s fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/stuart-brooks-1716236669855.
Vistry Kent is building new homes across East Sussex and Kent. For more information, visit bovishomes.co.uk, lindenhomes.co.uk or countrysidehomes.com.
