Paul Watson, a veteran from Hexham, Northumberland, has reached the final leg of his year-long challenge, having run a total race distance of 250 miles in support of Little Troopers, a charity supporting children and families of the British Armed Forces.
Paul has taken on the gruelling GB Ultras 50 Mile Slam, completing five separate 50-mile ultramarathons across the year to raise funds for military children. On Saturday, he will take on the fifth and final race of the challenge from Glasgow to Edinburgh, bringing to an end a year-long effort inspired by both his own experiences of military life and the sudden loss of his brother three years ago.
A Life Shaped by Military Service
Paul grew up in a military family before going on to serve for more than six years in the Army himself. He has also spent his career supporting military-connected children and young people as a mental health nurse at Catterick Garrison.
Paul said: "I'm running five ultramarathons to raise money for military children and to help process the grief of losing my brother. Growing up as a military child, serving myself and now working closely with military-connected children and young people, I've seen both the positives of service life and some of the quieter, harder parts that can often go unnoticed."
Reflection and Fundraising
"Military children are incredibly resourceful and adaptable, but they can also experience long periods apart from a parent, missed birthdays and special occasions, frequent moves and school transitions. This challenge has given me a lot of time to reflect. I think it's helped me come to terms with the loss of my brother, but I'm also hoping the by-product is raising funds to help families like mine and my brother's."
"I've travelled the country working with military children and everywhere I went there was something about Little Troopers. The children mentioned Little Troopers. The schools had Little Troopers resources. The charity kept coming up again and again."
Supporting Military Families
Paul is raising funds for Little Troopers and its work supporting military children and creating opportunities for families to reconnect following periods of separation. Little Troopers is a national charity supporting children who have one or both parents serving in the Armed Forces, whether regular or reserve.
Its programmes provide military children and families with opportunities to reconnect, spend valuable time together and meet others who understand the unique challenges of military life. Paul added: "It's about giving families a chance to stop, breathe and simply be together. Whether it's a day out, a group activity or something as simple as sharing time and space without distraction, it's about helping families rebuild that closeness after time apart."
Charity's Gratitude
Louise Fetigan MBE, founder of Little Troopers, said: "What Paul has taken on for Little Troopers is incredible. Five 50-mile ultramarathons is a phenomenal challenge and we are so grateful that he has chosen to do it for military children and their families."
"Paul understands this community from so many different perspectives – as someone who grew up in a military family, served himself and now works with military-connected children and young people. He knows just how important those opportunities for families to reconnect can be."
"We’ll all be cheering him on as he takes on that fifth and final 50 miles. To take on 250 race miles for our Little Troopers is an amazing achievement and we can't thank him enough."
Paul is hoping his final ultramarathon will also give his fundraising a last push towards his target.
