Army Cadet instructor does 100 mile walk, cycle and run fundraiser for girl with brain cancer and armed forces charity

Sgt Lloyd Lester served as a reservist with the Royal Corps of Signals and has run half marathons on multiple occasions, and is used to long cycle rides and keeping himself physically fit.

But on Sunday (June 28) he set off on a really daunting challenge - to cover over 100 miles, visiting all nine 1 Company Cambridgeshire Army Cadet detachments and to stop off at Peterborough’s Cenotaph, by cycling, running and tabbing (walking at a fast pace with heavy pack) in a single day.

The objective was to raise money for two charities, one being the Royal Signals Charity, which helps veterans and their families, which Sgt Lester wanted to support as a veteran himself, and to help commemorate the centenary of the creation of that regiment.

The other objective was to raise money to help eight year old Isla Mcnulty, from Doddington, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer and is about to undergo chemotherapy.

Isla’s situation was explained to Lloyd by his colleague Sgt Lena Rowlands who knows the girl’s family. SI Lester hopes that the money will help her family and enable them to have a holiday.

In the build-up to the day, he commented: “It’s the hardest challenge I’ve ever done. Not just the physical effort, but mentally as well.”

Still eager to take on the trip, his extensive preparations have involved building his own fitness, route planning and discussions with his support team, who travelled in a car.

He carried a three litre water pack and bottles of Lucozade, and kept up his energy by eating pasta (with bacon and salt) and Kendal Mint Cake.

He adapted his mountain bike for road use by replacing the tyres with thinner ones at higher pressure.

Starting at Yaxley at 7am, he tabbed with a 42lb pack to Fletton (4.3 miles), stopping at the Cenotaph in Peterborough to pay his respects and mark Armed Forces week. He then tabbed to Walton/Talavera (2.8 miles) and rode to Wisbech (32.5 miles) and March (23.9 miles), then onto Chatteris (6.9 miles), Ramsey (12.7 miles), Whittlesey (10.2 miles). He rode to Facet and then ran on to Yaxley (10.2 miles in total).

He was supported by Staff Sergeant Rob Silveri, Sergeant Major Vince Moody and Cadet Corporal Phoenix Hart.

At March detachment he had a surprise meeting with his commanding officer, Major Lesley Deacon, who had come along to show her support and ride with him to Chatteris.

He completed the challenge and was welcomed with a great deal of applause by a group of well-wishers at Yaxley detachment, a greeting which he said was ‘amazing’ and he would never forget.

To date, he has raised more than £1000.

Major Deacon, said: “He completed this tabbing, walking and running in just under 12 hours. The cadets, parents and adult instructors of 1 Company are so proud of his achievement.”

Support came not only from The Army Cadet Force, but also from The Royal Corps of Signals, who sent the following message: “The Corps have been overwhelmed with stories of people who have gone the extra mile to help celebrate our centenary while raising money for the Royal Signals Charity. One person in particular who has gone above and beyond is Lloyd Lester.

“It is this dedication and commitment that has been an inspiration to everyone and we are grateful to have people like this in our Corps family.”

You can donate to the fundraising effort at: https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lloyd-lester