Devon barber faces toughest 13 Bridges Challenge for SSAFA after cancer

20 May 2026

SSAFA volunteer Alan Rowe, 76, and his wife Pauline, 77, will be taking on SSAFA’s iconic 13 Bridges challenge this year in aid of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. Taking place on Armed Forces Day, Saturday 27 June, the event marks a major milestone both in Alan’s and Pauline’s story.  

While Alan is known for taking on extreme fundraisers, this walk represents his biggest challenge yet, following his battle with prostate cancer and diabetes. Spending years by Alan’s side, cheering him on as he takes on marathons, ultra marathons and walking challenges, 13 Bridges will be Pauline’s first fundraising adventure. Taking it on hand in hand, the couple, are ready to face this epic 10-mile route through London. 

During the 13 Bridges, Alan and Pauline will be carrying a baton made from the handle of a damaged stretcher used by the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) in Afghanistan. Known for being the ‘flying emergency room’ on the battle fields, the unit are a specialised medical team to recover casualties, often under fire from the battlefield. The baton Alan and Pauline will be carrying has carried to safety all personnel, no matter their rank, nationality, civilian, ally or not. 

Alan said: “The stretcher is unbiased in who it saves, just like SSAFA. It is an Armed Forces charity that sits outside of military command, offering no judgement and supports those who reach out for help. This is why a stretcher was chosen to be the material of choice for the baton.

“The damaged stretcher was donated by the Royal Marines from Camp Bastion Hospital to help enable Alan’s dream to create a symbol of ‘conscience’.”

Growing up in Devon, Alan spent the 52 years of his working life as a barber, looking after clients who were often veterans and serving forces.

Alan said: “I’ve spent my career looking into the eyes of men who fought in WWI, WWII and other subsequent conflicts while they trusted me to cut their hair. Over time I had the privilege of these men opening up to me about their experiences from both their time serving and as a veteran. 

“Stories of heartbreak and hope became my everyday with these brave men, each story unique, each story a tale worth telling. I soon became aware of how little I knew. As trust grew, more shared their experiences and each day I reflected more about my own family and what my father and uncle went through as part of the Armed Forces in World War II. 

“My Uncle especially was a true guiding light, Captain Horace Hollick DSO. Serving with the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment which distinguished itself in many conflicts, my uncle and his men survived being torpedoed twice and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) following his valiant assault as Monte Casino. After losing comrades, seeing other officers injured and suffering severe injuries himself, he refused to be taken off the line and rallied the remnants of his company, leading a bayonet charge against machine gun fire.”

With a family history rooted in the Armed Forces and his working days spent hearing his client’s stories from the cutting chair, Alan felt called to do something that would make a real difference to those in the Armed Forces community.

Alan added: “We’re walking 13 Bridges for SSAFA, and while we know it will be physically tough for both of us, we will do it together knowing that we are walking alongside people who have spent their life in service, sacrificing more than we will ever know. We are walking in solidarity with every person who has served, is currently serving and will serve in the future.”