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Group of runners in front of Somme memorial

RAF veterans and park runners complete Somme Poppy Run for Fund

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This July, a team of ex-serving RAF personnel and park runners completed the Somme Poppy Run to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The park runners known as ‘The Globe Trotters’ get together weekly as members of the King’s Lynn parkrun.

RAF veteran and event director of the group, Flight Lieutenant Gary Walker said: “Since 2014 we have been holding a run, along what was the front line during the Battle of the Somme, laying a wreath at the Thiepval Memorial in memory of the missing.

The Battle of Somme took place from 1 July-18 November 1916 in France during the First World War.

Somme Poppy Run group on memorial steps

Gary continued: “The run commemorates all those who fought, were wounded and who lost their lives during the battle, particularly on that first day known as ‘the bloodiest day’, when the British Army suffered over 65,000 casualties, including over 19,000 fatalities.

The group of runners included ex-Flight Lieutenant Elaine Lumley who retired from service five years again ago and now works at RAF Marham, as well as three Air Cadets from 42F King’s Lynn Squadron.

Gary Walker said: “The Somme Poppy Run is the perfect opportunity for those from my local running community, not only to test themselves by running in the undulating Somme countryside, but also to learn of the enormity of what took place there over 100 years ago.

“The battle touched so many in the communities across the country, including our area of west Norfolk. We concluded the run with a wreath laying at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing which holds the names of over 72,000 British soldiers who fought in the battle and have no known grave.

“We were proud to raise money for the Fund, who I know from personal experience, provide so much practical, financial and emotional support to members of the RAF family."

He continued: “I became aware of the excellent support of the Fund when I joined the RAF as a community support officer at RAF Marham. The Fund was always there helping individual families in times of need, in addition to supporting major Station community projects. They never let us down.”