Malham Tarn, Sunday 14 August 2011. Two teams of people including The Forgotten Heroes trustees, family members and friends braved the uncertain and changing weather around Malham Tarn to raise money for The Forgotten Heroes.

Although entered as two teams for the event, both teams participated as one throughout the event. With the weather forecast offering a multiple-choice selection prior to the event, the two TFH teams met near the start point with mist over the Tarn, and light rain falling.

From the start the teams met problems; Adam and Sean were in wheelchairs, and it was thanks to the rest of our joint teams that we managed to get around the course at all. Nicky, Nicky's daughters (and daughters friend), Lauren and Maggie had their work cut out helping in navigating the wheelchairs through and around hills, puddles and obstacles right from the start. The route was reasonable for walking participants, but manual wheelchair use of the course was very difficult for the first two thirds, if not more. This can be put down to teething problems in organising an event to accept wheelchairs in such an environment, but both Adam and Sean provided the organisers with feedback at the end of the course and offer great thanks to the rest of the team(s).

The course provided multiple cross-country challenges including stone speed-bumps, cattle grids (not good in a wheelchair), uneven/rutted surfaces which were compounded in parts by being either uphill or downhill too. After the first fifteen minutes the rain had stopped, to make a brief appearance later for a short time only.

Once around the north-western edge of the tarn, the route joined a metalled road - but the next half mile of this road was difficult due to the very steep uphill gradient. We have to thank the TFH team(s) here too for getting the wheelchairs up to the top.

Once at the top of this road, and previously where possible, Adam and Sean in the wheelchairs took advantage of better surface and more acceptable gradients and sped off. This was not just free-wheeling though, steering and controlling a wheelchair at speed isn't as easy as you might imagine (especially with wet/sodden gloves on). At least it took some of the pressure off the other team members though. This last third of the course on the road, whilst undulating, was more manageable by the wheelchairs, and Adam and Sean managed to exploit the opportunity and let the rest of the team(s) progress at their own more relaxed pace as they wheeled off.

Adam and Sean crossed the line together and waited for the rest of the team to arrive (only a minute or so) before booking in - it was a team event and not a race (although Adam and Sean did come in at 9th and 10th we were told - possibly the first two wheelchairs).

Sean set up a BT MyDonate page to fundraise for the event, and raised over £1000.00 (at the time of writing) plus gift aid for The Forgotten Heroes. This isn't just Sean's contribution though, any donations made are for The Forgotten Heroes by the sponsors and contributors for which The Forgotten Heroes are grateful.

Those taking part for the event were:

• Adam
• Maria
• David
• Sophie
• Nicky
• Charlotte
• Eve
• Jade
• Maggie
• Lauren
• Sean

Upon completion of the event the sun made an appearance, ice-cream was had by some, coffee by others, and the trip back home began. An interesting day due to the nature of the event (or should that be the location of the event?). This was Sean's first fundraising event for The Forgotten Heroes, there are more to come he says!

Thanks go to all those who took part, to family members who help, to the friends too, and most of all to everyone who supports us - thank you.