RAVC soldiers take on 24-hour fundraising challenge for SSAFA

25 November 2024

As the festive season approaches, Sergeant Amy Lewer of the Royal Army Physical Training Corps and Lance Corporal Caleb Best of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps will undertake a gruelling 24 hours of swimming, cycling and running to raise £1,000 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.  

For many, the festive season is an opportunity to come together with family and friends. People living away make the journey home, and those without the journey know they will spend time with loved ones each Christmas and New Year.

But for the Armed Forces, Christmas can be a tough time of year. Serving personnel may be deployed away from home. Veterans may feel isolated from family and old friends. And families may be separated from their nearest and dearest, who are needed in service.

This is why Sgt Lewer and LCpl Best were inspired to undertake 24 hours of triathlon, raising funds for SSAFA. SSAFA provides tailored welfare and wellbeing support to the UK’s Armed Forces family, helping serving personnel, veterans and their families through some of their darkest problems. 

Sgt Lewer has served in the Army for 11 years, joining the Royal Army Veterinary Corps as a dog handler. She met LCpl Best during that time, and the two started training together for triathlons earlier this year. 

Sgt Lewer said, “I know times away from family and friends can be tough, but it’s especially difficult to be separated over Christmas. It’s a time for reflection and togetherness, so we wanted to show members of the Armed Forces – whether serving, or veteran; far from home, or surrounded by loved ones – that you are never forgotten.”

The 24-hour triathlon will take place on the 3 of December. Amy is an experienced triathlete, while Caleb is new to the sport. The pair will rotate each hour, with one swimming, cycling and running while the other takes a break. They will keep a record of the total distance covered in the 24 hours.

Victoria Findlay, Senior Events Officer at SSAFA, commented, “For our Armed Forces family, Christmas is a bittersweet time of year. While some come together, others can feel the distance – either physically or emotionally – more deeply. We’re very grateful to Amy and Caleb for undertaking this challenging and thoughtful fundraising initiative, helping us provide vital support to Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families. We wish them the best of luck!”