Military team take on Nijmegen Challenge to support Fisher House

A fantastic military team from the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) based at Headley Court, came together to take on the Nijmegen Challenge. The epic challenge sees teams of walkers take on a 100 mile hike over four days ending in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

The DMRC and RCDM team used the challenge to raise money for Fisher House, the ‘home away from home’ for military patients and their families at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, raising an amazing £3,401. The money will allow Fisher House to continue to go ‘over and above’ for military patients and their families, providing free accommodation at the hospital where the UK’s military patients are treated.

The team of 12 were brought together by Flt Lt Stacey Clews, Flt Lt Scott Murray and WO Nicholas McKenzie as a ‘Role Four’ team, signifying the permanent medical care of the British military, with eight members coming from the RCDM and four from Headley Court.

The dedicated team took on a 50 mile qualifying trek at RAF Cosford over two days before heading to the Netherlands for the Nijmegen challenge which saw 6,000 military participants from 34 countries take part.

Flt Lt Scott Murray said: “It was an excellent challenge that saw a huge military contingent from across the world take on the 100 mile trek. Add to that the 45,000 civilian participants and the million or so people who turned up to watch and to cheer and it was quite an incredible event!”

WO Nicholas McKenzie, who has completed an incredible eight Nijmegen Challenges said: “It really is an excellent event, it was great that the RCDM and DMRC joined forces to take on the challenge, although we were all shown up by the cadets from the UK who seemed to find it easier than we did!”

Flt Lt Stacey Clews said: “We were immensely proud to raise money for Fisher House. It is a wonderful place that offers a fantastic service to military patients and their families here at QEHB. The Nijmegen Challenge is all about camaraderie and community spirit, and these values are so evident at Fisher House.”

Sophie Carroll, Fundraising Officer at QEHB Charity said: “Huge thanks go to the team from RCDM and DMRC for their efforts in completing the Nijmegen Challenge and raising so much to support Fisher House. It sounds like a tough event, but their efforts will help to offer a home away from home for military patients and their families at Fisher House.”