Voting open for Soldiering on Awards: Please nominate our two fundraising veterans
A massive congratulations to two of our incredible fundraisers who have been shortlisted as finalists for the prestigious 2022 Soldiering On Awards.
The winners will be decided by public vote.
Sergeant Naomi Benson - Sporting Excellence
Sergeant Naomi Benson, has been selected as a finalist in the Sporting Excellence Award which honours a person who has overcome challenges in pursuit of sporting excellence, demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of sport, and contributed to the endeavours and advancement of the Armed Forces Community.
Sgt Benson was nominated following her efforts in February where she ran for 24 hours continuously around Tidworth Athletics track, while handcuffed to a 3kg Medicine Ball (representing the unseen burden of mental health issues).
She battled sleep deprivation, pain and discomfort and completed a staggering 300 laps, the equivalent of 75 miles, to raise money for Combat Stress and ABF, the soldiers charity.
You can find out more about her efforts and vote for her here (voting closes on Sunday 14 August).
Major Sip Powers - Inspiration Award
Also announced as a finalist is Major Sip Powers, in the Inspiration Award, which honours a person who has overcome significant challenges, injury or disability, and whose ongoing or past outstanding achievements are an inspiration to others within the Armed Forces community.
Maj Powers was nominated for this award following the completion of his ‘Enduro7’ challenge, an endurance challenge which demonstrated the effects of sleep deprivation linked to mental health issues. He remained awake for 185 hours, completing seven different gruelling 24-hour endurance events. He has raised £40,000 for military charities to date, and has since become the Combat Stress County Representative for Lancashire.
“I feel so humbled to have been nominated for these awards. It would be a combined effort if I was to win, and project what Combat Stress are trying to achieve for the veteran community”
You can find out more about his efforts and vote for him here (voting opens Monday 29 August).
We'll find out on Awards night in October if Sgt Benson and Maj Powers are winners.