On Monday 10 September, in order to raise funds towards restoring the Museum of Army Flying in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, Paul Edwards MBE ran from the west coast to the east coast of Britain along the Hadrian’s Wall trail.
Paul spent 35 years in years in the British Army as an Infantry Officer and later as an Army Aviator. He was appointed MBE in 1995 for command on operations.
Westover Group, one of the south’s largest privately-owned motoring groups, supported Paul Edwards MBE in his 135km solo fundraising run by donating the use of a Land Rover Discovery Sport to support Paul and his team.
Paul started his run at Bowness-on-Solway on Monday 10 September at 10.00 and arrived at the finish line at Walls End, Newcastle at 15.10 on Thursday 13 September, having covered over 145Km (90 miles) cross country along the Hadrian’s Wall Trail. The route covered difficult terrain, often through fields habited by livestock and with obstacles such as gates and ladders.
Paul said: “On my run I was surrounded by wonderful scenery full of historical significance, but it was sheer hell to run over steep slopes of rocks and grass. Luckily, I had an incredible support team comprising my two daughters and son. I’m very grateful for the use of a Land Rover Discovery Sport, kindly loaned by Westover Jaguar Land Rover Military Sales, without which this might have been an even greater challenge!”
Paul has raised half of his target amount for £10,000 which will go towards renovations at the Museum of Army Flying, at Middle Wallop and is still collecting donations.
Mark Whittam, group operations director at Westover Group, says: “We are pleased we could support Paul in such a feat and have congratulated him in completing his run, especially as it is such a worthwhile cause.
“We feel it’s important that we preserve history which is relevant to all of us. The Museum of Army Flying has exhibits on major UK conflicts of the last century, which still remain significant today and for years to come. Westover has a longstanding history of supporting the UK’s military personnel and we actively provide special rates to those who are serving or are retired from the army.”
The museum is hoping to raise a further £100,000 required to complete Phase 2 of Project Eagle, which includes refurbishment of the building. It recently unveiled a memorial to fallen servicemen and women, where families and visitors can honour the sacrifices made by members of the Army Air Corps and their forebears, the Royal Flying Corps.
Established in 1923, Westover Group operates from 28 locations across Dorset and Wiltshire and its Land Rover dealerships are located in Salisbury and Christchurch. ’For further information on the special rates available to serving and ex-serving military personnel, please call 01722 447843 and ask to speak to a military specialist or visit www.westovermilitarysales.co.uk’
To donate to Paul’s challenge visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paul-edwards-runs-hadrians-wall
For further information on Project Eagle at the Museum of Army Flying please visit www.armyflying.com