Southway's Specialist Coach takes on Help for Heroes challenge!

In 2019, Southway pledged to the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise to ensure that those who serve, or have served in the past, are treated fairly. The local authorities, businesses, charities and individuals who sign commit to delivering the best possible outcomes for the Armed Forces Community. For housing providers like Southway, this means supporting veterans and their families through the offer of housing priority, employment and apprenticeship opportunities, in addition to raising awareness amongst our staff, customers and the wider community.

Since the pledge, we have been proud to support the local community and staff to raise awareness and complete challenges! This summer our Specialist Coach (Employment), Richard Phillips, will start a fund and awareness raising challenge for Help for Heroes, which help wounded veterans and their families to recover and get on with their lives. The challenge will focus on writing "H 4 H" on a map of Scotland / England / Wales and cycling the route.  This will be to both generate very much-needed funds for the charity and awareness-raising to young people and promote the support available to potential beneficiaries.

‘’ This is a cause that I have supported for a long time now and is even more important than ever to maintain the focus on. Covid affected everyone's lives - and led to changes both in what support is needed and how Help for Heroes delivers this.’’

– Richard.

What does the challenge involve?

The first part will involve writing an "H" across central Scotland. Along the way, Richard is going to take part in some local fundraising and raise educational awareness-raising among young people - using Cadets, schools, cubs, and scouts guides.  Along with older groups -via Veterans clubs, Rotary, Lions Clubs, and business networking groups.

Richard will start the ride from Lockerbie following the below rough timetable, with further stops on way to the end destination of New Cumnock to be planned. Richard will then write and cycle the "4" across northern England and the Midlands in late summer, before completing the final "H" in summer 2023.

If you would like to donate or find out more about Richard and The H4H Challenge, you can visit his Just Giving Page here.