Following the success of 2020’s ‘Running For The Few’ fundraiser, we followed this up in 2021 by recognising and commemorating the 85th Anniversary of Bomber Command. Continuing the theme, the same three of us ran over 85 miles in five days (more than 3.25 Marathons) across Lincolnshire between 25 Bomber Command Memorials, Airfields and Heritage Centres. Our purpose, as per last year, was to raise awareness and recognise the sacrifices of Bomber Command, and to raise funds for 3 Heritage Centres – The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, RAF Ingham Heritage Centre and Metheringham Airfield Visitors Centre, who work to preserve the memory.
The team were honoured to have support and encouragement from the very last surviving Dambuster, Squadron Leader George ‘Johnny’ Johnson MBE, DFM who was the Bomb Aimer on AJ-T and turns 100 in a few weeks.
We were also hugely grateful for the incredible support we received from many organisations and individuals in promoting the event, alongside each of the venues who hosted and accommodated us on our route. Between 10th-14th October we successfully completed the run, 85.1 miles in total over the 5 days.
We raised an incredible £3,910 to be split between the 3 beneficiaries thanks to such incredible support and the huge generosity of so many. We were also enormously grateful to the various locations who facilitated us both before and during the run week:
Day 1: Kirton In Lindsey – Ingham – Faldingworth – Wickenby
Day 2: RAF Scampton – Dunholme Lodge – Fiskerton – Bardney
Day 3: Spilsby – East Kirkby
Day 4: RAF Waddington – IBCC – Skellingthorpe – Swinderby – Bomber Gateway Trust – Newark Air Museum
Day 5: Metheringham – Coningsby – Woodhall Spa – Dambuster Memorial – Petwood Hotel
With more than 55,000 Bomber Command aircrew lost during the Second World War alone, they have sadly been often overlooked because of the duty they performed, which should in no way detract from the enormous, young sacrifice and unimaginable courage displayed.
It was an honour to run in their memory, the memory of friends and we can’t thank everyone enough who was part of, or helped support our memorable journey.
Thankyou
Lest We Forget
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