Double amputee may run at JJ’s memorial day

Don’t Forget The Wounded was born out of an annual event that the colleagues of Pte Jeff Doherty have been staging every summer since he was killed in Afghanistan on June 12 2008.

Pte Doherty - known as ‘JJ’ to friends and family - had joked while in Afghanistan that if he didn’t survive the tour of duty, he would like for his colleagues in 2para to perform a gruelling, two-mile stretcher run in his memory, every year, in his home town.

They have been fulfilling his wish annually, while on the same day, other events have been taking place in Southam to raise money for JJ’s Memorial Fund, a charity that supports injured members of the Parachute Regiment and families of those killed, set up by Pte Doherty’s parents.

Charity trustee Kara Deakin said: “Every year the event gets bigger and more popular - and this year the interest and enthusiasm from members of the regiment and members of the public has been overwhelming.”

As well as JJ’s Memorial Fund, proceeds from the event, which will include live music, food stalls, an auction, raffle and other attractions, will be donated to the British Airborne Forces Club, while other charities have been invited to set up their own fundraising stalls.

And organisers are hoping that a military fly-past will take over the skies above the town at 5pm - the same time that the stretcher run is due to begin at the graveside of Pte Doherty at St James’ church.

Ms Deakin said: “Wounded soldiers from Headley Court will also be in attendance, and we hope that one of them will start the run. Two years ago this same young man ran the stretcher race in memory of Jeff Doherty. He is now a double amputee.”

To find out more or donate, visit www.jjsmemorialfund.org