With military precision, the Queens Own Yeomanry has raised almost £6,000 for north east cancer charity the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
D Squadron, based at Fenham Barracks in Newcastle, decided to raise the money after Staff Sergeant Peter Smith lost his wife to the disease in November.
Peter, from Seghill, is a civil enforcement officer for North Tyneside Council and has three children Toni, James and Jack.
He says: “My wife Angela was just 44 when she died through renal cancer and it all happened very suddenly.
“As a TA unit we’ve always done what we can to help north east charities and I was touched when Captain Ian Stobbs suggested we raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in Angela’s memory.
“I’m proud of my unit. It’s just like them to pull together like this to help other people.”
Peter’s unit underwent gruelling physical challenges known as the ‘triple six’ to raise the money for Sir Bobby’s charity. The ‘triple six’ consists of swimming six 100m lengths of the pool, a 6km bike ride and a six mile forced march with full kit weighing 25 kilos.
Sir Bobby’s son Andrew visited Fenham Barracks to say thank you in person for the D Squadron’s efforts. He says: “It was a real pleasure to meet such committed fund-raisers.
“Having lost dad only last year I can understand what Peter and his family are going through but it must be particularly hard to lose a loved one to cancer so suddenly.
“With so much happening with our armed forces overseas it speaks volumes that these men still have the drive to focus on helping a local charity like this. My family and I are very grateful for this donation and wish them all the very best for the future.”
