Nine hours, four veterans and three challenges: the ultimate endurance test to raise money for SSAFA

19 February 2026

Splash Community Projects has seen four of its team sign-up for the epic Samworth Brothers Challenge on 9th May 2026, in aid of SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity. The event includes three major sections – mountain, kayaking and cycling – each around three hours long. It will be a full day of perseverance and teamwork, set in the scenic yet gruelling landscape of Castleton in the Peak District.

The Samworth Challenge will see veterans Lloyd Comer, ex Commando Sapper and Military Diver, Kenny Turk, Parachute Engineer, Steve Hall, Royal Engineer, and Josh Poole, who is the son of Splash Projects co-founder Simon Poole (Sponsor/ Team Driver) another Parachute Engineer and Military Diver. The team will traverse the Peak District by hill running, kayaking and mountain biking as part of the Samworth Brothers adventure charity challenge, upwards of nine hours.

With each participant holding a rich experience of the Armed Forces and a collective 90 years' service in the Army, the team are no strangers to dedication and hard work. 

The team at Exmouth-based Splash Community Projects, a business dedicated to developing teams and individuals through community projects worldwide, are aiming to raise £2,500 for the South West region of SSAFA.

Lloyd, aged 64 and dedicated team lead said: “All of the team have a deep association with the Armed Forces and as the longest running tri-service charity, SSAFA felt like the right choice to be our chosen charity.”

SSAFA has supported the Armed Forces community for more than 140 years and is a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans and their families when they need SSAFA and however they need SSAFA. Working across the three arms of UK Armed Forces, SSAFA offers practical, emotional and financial assistance to the Armed Forces community to make sure they never battle alone.

Lloyd said: "The team’s training is well underway, each working on increasing personal fitness levels with multi-terrain cycling, running and navigation both in the gym and in local areas. As we are spread across not just the UK but countries with Steve Hall living in France and Kenny Turk living in Spain, we will be calling on our military experience on the day as we come together as a team to tackle this monumental task. 

“When fatigue hits and those hills are getting steeper, we’ll remember the sacrifices of those who are serving, have served and will serve. The grit and determination needed to cross that finish line and cross it as a team will be great, but the reward and satisfaction of finishing will be greater.” 

Splash Community Projects is no stranger to SSAFA or the Armed Forces with more than 40 facilitators who are ex-military. In 2025, together with the Devon branch of SSAFA, the charity duo worked in partnership with the Gordon Messenger Centre to build a tranquil retreat in Lympstone built in memory of dedicated SSAFA caseworker June Best.

The joint venture, which was designed by veterans and built by veterans, saw more than £350k in donated materials and time, and an extra £25k in materials added during a second build phase.  More than six months later and the garden has become a safe haven for the local veteran community.