RAF man’s 87-mile charity trek

A SERVICEMAN at RAF Benson raised more than £1,000 for charity with an 87-mile trek.

Jake Palliser, 26, walked along the Ridgeway, which is said to be the oldest road in Britain, from Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire in four days.

He was raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, which provides financial, practical and emotional support to all members of the RAF and their dependants.

Mr Palliser is an air specialist, a non-commissioned rank responsible for providing technical expertise, at RAF Benson.

He moved to the base six months ago with his wife Maddie, 28, and their Hungarian vizsla Remi and the couple are expecting their first baby in October.

He has served for a total of eight years and was previously based at RAF Brize Norton.

Mr Palliser said: “I had always wanted to walk the Ridgeway and I thought if I was going to do it I should make it a sponsored walk for a charity that has helped me directly.

“When I have been deployed with the RAF they offered Maddie film nights so she could go out and enjoy herself.

“As we are expecting a baby it seemed like an important time to contribute to an organisation that takes care of the RAF families.”

He had to wait until he had recovered from an injury.

Mr Palliser said: “I tore a muscle in my groin, not so glamorous, and it was quite a long recovery period — around seven months, then a cool-down period for another five months. It was difficult as I am quite an active person, parachuting and playing football. It was frustrating to say the least.

“The second I found out that I had the all-clear I started planning the trip,”

During the walk he carried a bergen, a military backpack with all his equipment and rations packs, and wild camped at night.

“It took me four days to complete so two days quicker and the average person,” said Mr Palliser.

“The whole 87 miles was a physical battle and was really difficult. It was nice to have that time to look at the nice scenery but it was tough. Every part of my body was aching.

“As well as the physical side, you need to have mental resilience. There was a part of me thinking, ‘How on earth am I going to do the next 40 miles?’

“The biggest challenge was carrying my 35kg (77lb) bergen, which is half my body weight.

“The landscape was so contoured and hilly it made it so difficult. But the military instilled a ‘get it done’ attitude in me which helped me to complete the walk so quickly.

“It was also peaceful and I had time to reflect. Life can be quite busy and things can get hectic so where else would you get four days and three hours completely alone?

“I did enjoy speaking to people I met and it was really nice to have little conversations with people. One lady who spotted the RAF Benevolent Fund T-shirt I had draped on my back started and told me a story about her uncle.

“For the last five miles I was just thinking. ‘When is this going to stop?’ I finished on a beacon on a high steep hill.

“I was exhausted and just happy to see my wife and dog and to have a pint of Guinness.

“I completed the walk over the bank holiday so I had Monday off but the walk to work the next day was quite challenging.”

Mr Palliser had made almost double his original target of £500.

To make a donation, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/
140km-ridgeway-expedition