Lance Corporal Jonathon begins his trek today
Today, wounded hero Lance Corporal Jonathon "Frenchie" Le Galloudec is beggining his trek to Everest Base Camp, in an extraordinary Help For Heroes challenge sponsored by Energizer.
In what he seems his toughest challenge to date, along with his father Stevve, Jon will trek 75 miles over 19 days, reaching a height of 17,590 feet.
In June 2007, Jon sustained a gunshot wound to his spine while serving in Iraq, which has left him partly paralyzed. His best friend was killed while trying to rescue him. Jon was told he would never walk again and his ongoing recovery, supported by Help for Heroes, has astounded doctors.
The expedition is considered an enormous challenge for even a fully-abled person.
Jon, 30, says: "Personally, I really just want to raise awareness of the need for the public’s continued support for our country’s wounded soldiers. Also, if I can inspire even one wounded soldier to realise that being injured doesn’t mean the end to an active life, then I’ve done my job."
Called Chomolungma – meaning mother goddess of the sky – by Tibetans and Sherpas, Mount Everest is respected by even the most hardened of mountain climbers and locals. In addition to the challenges of unruly terrain and high altitude, Jon faces the physical and mental challenges of this trek, the first since beginning to walk without the aid of walking sticks, which include undertaking grueling acts of physical exertion while living with the day-to-day reality of constant pain, and difficulties with balance on unforgiving terrain.
To date, Jon has completed two challenges, the first of which was to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, to raise money for Help for Heroes and support for his fellow wounded soldiers.
Jon’s father Steve, who served in the RAF, says: "My son was part of the inspiration for Help for Heroes. Without their help he, and many of the wounded and their families, would not have received the life changing help that was provided by the Help for Heroes team as a result of the generosity of the public."
"Energizer is proud to be sponsoring Jon’s trek and making a positive difference," says Nick Powell, Managing Director for Energizer UK. "Help for Heroes is a hugely relevant charity: this year sees 10 years of British troops serving in Afghanistan and its support plays an ever invaluable role for the UK forces."
Sponsorship of the trek is just one of the ways Energizer is supporting Help for Heroes. Its ‘Be a Hero’ campaign aims to raise a further £120,000 for the charity through its on pack* promotion and Facebook campaign – funds which will provide direct and practical support for the wounded men and women of the British armed forces.
"Help for Heroes is a natural collaboration for Energizer," Nick adds. "We firmly believe that everyone should have the power to make a positive difference, no matter how big or small, and our ‘Be a Hero’ campaign is about empowering the nation to do just that; creating positive energy by giving something back."
To follow Jon’s trek by video, receive exclusive updates on his progress, and show your support for Jon and Help for Heroes, facebook.com/energizerUK
To sponsor Jonathon’s trek,bmycharity.com/shouldertosoldier
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