A Hexham-based veteran is preparing to complete a year-long endurance challenge after running 250 miles in support of children and families connected to the British Armed Forces.
Paul Watson will take on his fifth and final 50-mile ultramarathon on Saturday, running from Glasgow to Edinburgh as part of the GB Ultras 50 Mile Slam. The race will bring his total distance for the challenge to 250 miles.
Watson is raising money for Little Troopers, a national charity supporting children who have one or both parents serving in the Armed Forces, whether as regular or reserve personnel. He hopes the final race will provide a last boost towards his fundraising target.
A challenge shaped by military experience and grief
The challenge was inspired by Watson’s own background and the sudden loss of his brother three years ago. He grew up in a military family, later served in the Army for more than six years and now works as a mental health nurse at Catterick Garrison, supporting military-connected children and young people.
Watson said the ultramarathons had given him time to reflect while helping him process his bereavement. He also wants the fundraising to support families facing the challenges associated with service life.
“I'm running five ultramarathons to raise money for military children and to help process the grief of losing my brother. Growing up as a military child, serving myself and now working closely with military-connected children and young people, I've seen both the positives of service life and some of the quieter, harder parts that can often go unnoticed.”
He said military children could be resourceful and adaptable, but might also experience long periods away from a parent, missed birthdays and other special occasions, frequent moves and changes of school.
Watson has travelled around the country working with military children and said Little Troopers repeatedly came up through children, schools and its resources. The charity’s programmes give military children and their families opportunities to reconnect, spend time together and meet others who understand the particular pressures of military life.
Support for families after periods apart
Watson said the charity’s work was about giving families time to reconnect after separation, whether through a day out, a group activity or simply sharing time together without distractions.
“It's about giving families a chance to stop, breathe and simply be together. Whether it's a day out, a group activity or something as simple as sharing time and space without distraction, it's about helping families rebuild that closeness after time apart.”
Louise Fetigan MBE, founder of Little Troopers, praised Watson’s commitment and said the organisation was grateful that he had chosen to take on the five-race challenge for military children and their families.
“What Paul has taken on for Little Troopers is incredible. Five 50-mile ultramarathons is a phenomenal challenge and we are so grateful that he has chosen to do it for military children and their families.”
Fetigan said Watson understood the community from several perspectives—as someone raised in a military family, a former service member and a professional working with military-connected children and young people.
She added that the charity would be cheering him on during the final 50 miles. People who want to support Watson’s challenge can donate through the fundraising link provided in the original appeal.