In may 2007 my eldest child (31 yrs) and only son, Cpl Darren Bonner was killed in a land mine explosion in Southern Afghanistan. My whole world fell apart and my life was changed forever. How was I ever to carry on bearing this terrible pain. In any case, I had to keep it together for their sakes of my 3 daughters who had also lost their big brother.
Feeling that I had to do something positive for Darren, I started to organise a walk in honour of the 9 soldiers that we lost in the tour of '07. In July '08 the "100 miles for 9 smiles" walk was born and we (myself and other mums, family members and soldiers from the 1st Battalion) took to the highways from Pirbright in Surrey to Duxford, Cambridgeshire, raising 35K for The 1 R ANGLIAN Afghanistan Memorial Appeal.
Last year I decided that I would like to organise another walk, but this time open it up to the whole of The Royal Anglian Regiment, enabling other similarly affected people to share in this special experience. So with all the help I could possibly wish for from The Regiment the "All the 4's" walk has come to be. We raised a huge £44k!!! All thanks to all of you that are supporting our boys. I was amazed at the total that was donated, especially whilst the country was in such a slump.
Well yet again the time has come for us to replace our sandals with our heavy duty walking boots and start plodding along the streets hoping for the support and encouragement we have always had from you. I would like us to exceed the total of last year if we can, and I am sure with your support we can do it in the names of our HERO’s. R.I.P. our boys.
I can be contacted on 07739 841 124.
Captain Ty Smith, former VIKING, POACHER and now with the STEELBACKS (3 R ANGLIAN ) in Leicester. Having witnessed the wonderful response by the general public and in particular the “Regimental Family on the walk last year, there was no better motivation for the walk this year. Once again we hope to see lots of “Connect Walkers” who contribute so much to the walk. My Motto “On Route, On Time and Completion”
I can be contacted on 07872 468 747.