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Lincolnshire ACF Cadet Quartermaster raises £2,000 for Blesma

Captain Rob Holland and Cathy Thompson on their fundraising trek in Morocco.

Cadet Quartermaster Captain Holland, a former Major in the Armed Forces, has been fundraising for Blesma for six years. In 2018 himself and his training partner, Cathy Thompson, received the Cyril Stephens Award for Best Fundraisers of the Year.

Blesma is a charity dedicated to supporting all those still and formerly serving in the Armed Forces who have lost the use of their limbs or eyes. They focus on providing rehabilitation and welfare support.

The trek was originally planned for a group of 20 in 2019, but had to be postponed due to COVID-19. In the end, six took on the task, with a team of three raising money for Blesma and three for the Fire Service charities.

Mount Toubkal trek.

Mount Toubkal is in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco and at 4,167 metres is the highest peak in North Africa. The trek took two days in total. The first day took nine hours to cover the 14 kilometres and 1,200 metre incline to base camp, with the second day dedicated to tackling the 4 kilometre and 1,100 metre climb left to the summit, taking the team just over four hours.

In order to prepare beforehand, the team had to do acclimatisation treks to prepare for the thinner air – there is 40% less oxygen than at sea level on Mount Toubkal.

Cadet Quartermaster Captain Holland commented: “It was hard work, but well worth the effort for this great charity.”

Both Rob and Cathy are intending to continue their fundraising efforts for Blesma with the 2022 Paris Marathon.

You can find out more about the Army Cadet Force on our website.