Page 28 - Qaranc Spring 2014

26 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Royal British Legion Stretcher Race
What better way to spend your Saturday in the right company anywhere in the English countryside
If your Saturday afternoon is measure out in careening yourself towards any sort of physical and mental doings then this article is written with you in mind. The fun factor of any sport boils down to what the experience will provide for that individual. Add the sentiments of a close-knit department of nurses, a hostess who writes crime novels and an overnight trip and the potential for fun increases. But celebrating the frugality of spending a night in sleeping bags and enjoying the graciousness of our hosts to create something epic requires the underlying gel of charity. Fund Raising for charity is in itself an extreme sport. And so we’re celebrating Armed forces day today Sat 29 Jun 13 by doing a stretcher run for the Royal British legion.
Through the efforts of our hostess, our team from MDHU Frimley Park alongside teams from MDHU North Allerton, Headley court, MDHU Peterborough and one lone ranger from MDHU Portsmouth meet up in the pristine Malvern Hills to join in the main effort.
Our team comprises of nurses; Cpl Johnson, Cpl Anderson, LNN Turnbull (MDHU Portsmouth) Sgt Turnbull, Capt Simpson, WO1 Baldwin. RSM and Lt Col Day, Commanding Officer MDHU FP. We have the luxury of sleeping overnight at the Surgeon Commodore’ s house; time which is spent forging the bonds of team spirit over a fish and chip dinner and humorous depictions of murder mysteries unravelling from our over active imagination.
In the morning, we have our stretchers ready at the go. The poignant thread of the event is to commemorate LCpl
Coltman, a WW2 stretcher bearer who was awarded the Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Conduct Medal among others. An excerpt from the London Gazette, 25 August 1917, reads ‘Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in evacuating wounded from the front line at great personal risk under shell fire. His gallant conduct undoubtedly saved many lives, and he continued throughout the night to search for wounded under shell and machine gun fire, and brought several in. His absolute indifference to danger had a most inspiring effect upon the rest of his men’ It is the portraits of medics tending to the wounded at the sacrificial alter of past wars that adorn messes and galleys that briefly hold us captive. Today we are here to give of ourselves to those who need us here and now.
The weather is pleasantly inviting and the Malvern Hills are welcoming as we climb with our stretcher to the top. No one dashes ahead with great force that can be expected from nurses, but we follow the meandering path and in good stride keep abreast with the mixed ability of our team. Together we’re a team which resonates with those values held by medics throughout the ages.
For all our nobleness, we’re determined right at the end to not be overtaken and we run all the way tirelessly with the bitter thought that the RAF could just overtake us. Our team congregate before the finish and we stride to the finish line. Collectively, MDHU FP manages to raise £258 pounds for a noteworthy and fun event that we hope to see ourselves taking part in next year.
Sgt Turnbull
MDHU Frimley Park