More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Bear Grylls is encouraging the people of Kent to sign up for a military challenge.
The TV adventurer wants 100 fitness fans to enlist in Britain's Bravest Military Challenge taking place at Mote Park, Maidstone, on Saturday, September 28.
Royal British Legion Industries has teamed up with Be Military Fit, an outdoor group fitness company, to celebrate 100 years of the charity providing employment, homes and support for wounded veterans.
Challenging local people to take part, the television daredevil said: "To celebrate the Royal British Legion Industries’ 100th year and to raise vital funds to help support veterans, we’re doing something special.
"So get outside, test yourself and help us support our incredible veterans.”
The event will see participants take part in an authentic military fitness test featuring the toughest military training drills and the highest level of physical and mental challenge.
Similar events will be taking place in 20 locations across the country on the same day, including Manchester and Cardiff.
RBLI was founded in 1919 to support sick and wounded veterans returning from the battlefields of the First World War.
Today it provides jobs for former forces personnel in factories in Kent and Surrey through Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company.
It also provides accommodation for veterans at its Centenary Village site in Aylesford, Maidstone.
All the money raised through Britain’s Bravest Military Challenge will go to support RBLI’s plans for a new £14m site comprising of specially-adapted accommodation for injured ex-service personnel.
Steve Sherry, chief executive of RBLI, said: “The Village is crucial if we are to continue to provide the highest level of care and support for our military veterans for another hundred years.
“We are most grateful to all those who will push themselves through the pain barrier to support our appeal.”
When complete, the Centenary Village will include 48 apartments, each designed to be fully accessible and house single veterans in urgent need.
Alongside this, there will be 20 new family homes in a mix of town and mews-style housing, and further 24 assisted-living flats.
A community centre will provide veterans and their families with a range of services, welfare support and training, tackling isolation through social engagement and promoting independence.
Other events have been organised to fundraise for the plot, including a centenary bike ride which raised more than £54,000 for the charity.
Help support Kent Messenger's Not 2 Much 2 Ask campaign for Royal British Legion Industries
