Bit of Rant! Just for this one post.

You may not agree with what our military are doing, but you should still acknowledge they perform a duty and as with any job deserve a duty of care.

Did you know compared to our American cousins the British Military care for veterans is like the third cousin twice removed at the wedding that you have to invite under obligation. Our standards for looking after ex military, and their families, in any shape or form not just injured personnel is just appalling.

Our American colleagues have it written in the law that they automatically get money towards their education, priority jobs, priority housing, grants, mentoring, free medical and dental support and counselling when they leave.  What does the average British military person get when he/she gets out - nothing.

I have had the experience of being injured twice in the Army. One time my ankle had to be completely reconstructed, and the other I had my spleen out.  Long stories maybe I will tell you over a pint one day - you're buying :)

I ended up in Headley Court which even though its a government funded rehabilitation centre it relies mainly on charity donations to keep it going.  When I went, before Help for Heroes got started, there was no female accommodation (as the military were still in the mind-set that, good grief women getting injured on duty surely not, they can only be sitting behind a desk somewhere)  so they put the six of us girls there, in a side wing on the medical ward. The whole place was worse for wear. The paint was peeling, the hydro pool had scum around the sides and tiles were coming off.  But the rehabilitation was second to none. It was a humbling experience. I went there being told I will never walk again properly and being in depression, to coming out being fitter than I had been for a long time, after the dedication of the amazing staff there. Thinking how lucky I am to have both my legs and arms and mentally intact. That was the best medicine in the world, having banter with those amazing people who made my injuries look like a scratch.

I've also been asked why I'm not doing this for Help for Heroes - well the majority of people aren't aware of this little known fact, but H4H only help serving personnel and veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflict.  I just don't agree with this in any shape or form as there should be no cut off date to receiving help if you served your country, and I think this is just not acceptable.

This is why we are doing this trek, and this is why its so personal to me - giving back to our military family, so that they don't have to fight for help like we had to do.

Don't forget our just giving pages too - https://www.justgiving.com/NorthPoleLastTwoDegreesRSBF - Royal Signal Benevolent Fund 

https://www.justgiving.com/NorthPoleLastTwoDegreesDianaAward - helping to mentor disadvantage children 

https://www.justgiving.com/NorthPoleLastTwoDegreesWwtW - walking with the wounded to help provide for injured and disabled military personnel a better quality of life.