From SEA to SAN(d): Let's Work Together

No doubt you'll have heard of the movie, 'Dunkirk', which was released a month or so back. Quite correctly, it brought that desperate time back into focus and gave an idea of the mayhem, bravery and sacrifices made in our name.

Nope. Ain't seen it either.

As much as we should never forget these landings or the people involved, the British Legion is also about looking forward and trying to help those who served in our Armed Services. Its aims are rehabilitation, transition and trying to give back to lives that have been irreversibly changed in the line of serving Queen and Country, i.e. the rest of us.

Words fail.

It's the rehabilitation and rebuilding of ex-service peoples' lives that is of paramount importance and The Legion is heavily involved in trying to achieve this, both with other service charities and on its own. Of course there is no magic wand or quick fix, unfortunately.

That said, one positive example is the Invictus Games, the third edition of which will take place during September in Toronto. The Invictus Games is a multi-sport event is open to all wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans. The Games are named after 'invictus', the Latin word for 'unconquered' or 'undefeated'.

Prince Harry, Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, reveals the team of 90 competitors selected to represent the UK at the Invictus Games Toronto 2017.

The Games will feature over 600 military athletes from 16 countries competing in 12 events including archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

Getting involved in sport helps with self-confidence and feeling psychologically empowered- big positives! These significant mental health benefits can be translated outside of sport and into everyday life. The Legion is helping friends and families of the competitors attend these games.

And guess what? Bruce Springsteen has said that he'll perform a few numbers during the closing ceremony...nice one, Boss.

Prince Harry continues to bang the drum on behalf of Veterans.

Like I said earlier, as honourable as the act of remembrance is, it's the help that the affected need now that is at least as important. This includes treating and helping those who are suffering from invisible, psychological wounds (P.T.S.D.) too.

So if you put all that together then I believe that it is a cause worth backing, so good on all you terrific people who have donated already (especially some folks from outside the UK!) and we're almost past the £500 mark. Bravo!

Please click on this link to donate to BOTH Bloodwise and The Royal British Legion in one go

Okay then, back to the nonsense: I have been out-and-about as you'd hope/expect in this glorious weather, and chanced upon some local wildlife...

This guy could be handy at eliciting sponsorship.

Yeah it was breezy as, but at least it's dry!

Desperate times call for deluded measures- I've even joined the local gym for a month in the vain hope of doing myself some good. It's not too bad in all fairness, save for the f**king awful din that they insist on playing over the PA. If you thought that my 'Tune Of The Day' left a bit/lot to be desired, you ain't heard nowt yet. And neither will you!

Wrong gym. Well, that depends doesn't it?

Just over two weeks to go and we'll be away: Google found me a video diary of some bloke from London who did pretty much the same ride last October. After watching 10 minutes the smile disappeared from my face as he got an absolute shoeing from the Weather Gods for days. Ouch!