Big challenge FORMER 93rd Signal Squadron (TA) reservist Mike Vallance decided to embark on a six-month, 500km challenge in 2008, which saw him raise £8,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund in memory of Pte Joe Whittaker (20) of 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. Mike competed in nine different marathon walking events across Europe, including the four-day Nijmegen marches and the Real Berlin Marathon. Raising the bar further, Mike and his family have embarked on a more ambitious fund-raising programme for 2009, and are aiming to raise in excess of £10,000 for the ABF. In May, a one day continuous rugby festival and gig was held at Old Leamingtonians RFC, including the inaugural ABF Mens’ Tens Tournament, raising more than £1,000 for the ABF and Combat Stress. Total raised: £9,000

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THIS month’s Ranked comes courtesy of ABF controller Maj Gen Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, who commissioned into the Grenadier Guards in 1964 and clocked up nearly 40 years of service before retiring in 2001.
He said: “We are working to provide support to soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need. Because we are dependent on donations, we must raise around £6 million each year to continue our vital work with members of the Army family. These range from children of serving soldiers to veterans of great age.
“To make this happen, I and my team work with a network of regional fund-raisers across the UK and in other countries such as Cyprus and Germany.
“The outcome is that every single fund-raiser and fund-raising event makes a difference to those who need it most.”

JULY'S RANKED: JOBS FOR THE GIRLS