Wiltshire Runner 'Races to the Castle' for SSAFA

09 August 2021

Anne Slater, 36, who lives in Westbury with her Army veteran husband Oliver and their two children took on the 100km run on Armed Forces weekend, 26-27 June, raising over £630 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

The 100km Ultra Marathon was set across Northumberland’s stunning moorland and dramatic coastal dunes. ‘Race to the Castle’ started inland at Kirkharle and ended at Bamburgh Castle, towering over the coastline.  

This was Anne’s second Ultra Marathon, having done ‘Race to the Stones’ in Wiltshire in 2019, to raise money for charity.

Anne braved a mix of extreme weather and all kinds of terrain, as well as stunning coastal views, before crossing the finish line at the castle with a total run-time of 13 hours 53 minutes.

Anne said: “It was an epic race and I’m so pleased I made the effort, raising money for SSAFA in the process. Would I do it again? Definitely!”

Being married to a Forces veteran, Anne is well aware of the help SSAFA provides to the Armed Forces community and was determined to pledge all funds raised to the charity.

She said: “SSAFA paid for the funeral expenses for a friend and colleague of my husband who sadly died of cancer while still serving. On another occasion, SSAFA also helped with funeral expenses when my close friend suffered the loss of her husband, a Forces veteran.

“When a loved one passes away, it is a massive relief getting support from the military ‘family’. So, for me to be able to ‘give back’ is the least I could do, with wonderful help from my supporters, friends and family.

Anne, who grew up in Newbury, Berkshire and is a qualified pastry chef, met her husband Oliver when he was in the Royal Engineers.

She said: “Oliver served 14 years in the Army, with operational tours in Kosovo and Afghanistan, before retiring in 2015. Living in the Army world for so long gave me a real insight into the challenges of service life for both personnel and families, and how SSAFA helps so much.

“Thanks to everyone who backed my run, both in practical terms and by donating.”