Serviceman uses leave to run marathon for Legion
16 April 2009
A British serviceman currently on active service in Afghanistan is to use his five days' leave in the UK to run the London Marathon.
Flt Lt Michael O'Hara is undertaking the gruelling 26 mile run to raise money for The Royal British Legion, which supports veterans of the conflict he is engaged in.
And while other marathon runners will be preparing for April 26 by jogging around their local park, Flt Lt O'Hara will do so by actively defending Kandahar Air Field in south-west Afghanistan from enemy fighters.
As Britain's main airbase in the country, Kandahar is even busier than London Gatwick and sees thousands of soldiers fly in daily as well as housing 12,000 multinational personnel.
Flt Lt O'Hara is one of the 144 members of the Queens Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regiment) who took over the task of guarding the base in February.
He wanted to celebrate his 30 years service in the RAF Regiment by raising some money for the charity which provides help to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.
"I am a member of The Royal British Legion so I know what important work they do within the Armed Forces Community", he said.
"At the time of the Marathon I will be on my R&R from operations in Afghanistan but looking forward to the challenge that the Marathon offers. There won't be much time for relaxing, as I have to fly back to Afghanistan a couple of days later.
"I've served 30 years in the Armed Forces and so I am aware of the important work the Legion does for those whose lives have been damaged by the realities of war.
"It’s great to have the opportunity to show my support for the work they do with the Service community."
Click here to sponsor Flt Lt O'Hara online, or send a cheque to The Royal British Legion, Haig House, 199 Borough High Street, London SE1 1AA.
Read the details of other runners raising funds for the Legion here.
