Army veteran aims to lunge his way to a new world record
An Army veteran from Exeter aims to lunge his way to a new world record while raising funds for veterans' mental health charity Combat Stress.
Luke Dyer, 37, is preparing to tackle an extraordinary 73 miles of walking lunges – a distance believed to far exceed the current known record of five miles. An application has been submitted to Guinness World Records and official verification of the challenge is currently pending.
Starting on 2 September at first light, he will look to complete the gruelling challenge in just two days, pausing only for food, water and toilet breaks, in the hope of finishing in time for Parachute Signals reunion weekend, in the village of Caythorpe, Lincolnshire.
The timing holds particular significance as he is taking on this challenge in memory of his friend and former comrade, Corporal Adam Huson, who served with 216 (Parachute) Signal Squadron and tragically took his own life after struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) linked to his military service.
The number 73 also holds special significance. It was Adam's number during P Company, the demanding selection course completed by aspiring paratroopers.
Luke has also chosen to support Combat Stress, which provides specialist treatment and support to former servicemen and women living with complex mental health conditions, including PTSD, anxiety and depression.
Luke and Adam spent much of their military careers serving together in 216 (Parachute) Signal Squadron, where a shared passion for fitness and soldiering forged a close friendship. Like Adam, Luke served as a Physical Training Instructor and deployed to Afghanistan, before later becoming an Army Parachute Jump Instructor at RAF Brize Norton. Now working as a fitness coach, he has turned his determination and resilience towards fundraising in Adam's memory, using extreme endurance challenges to raise awareness of veterans' mental health and support the work of Combat Stress.
On his challenge, Luke said: "This challenge is unlike anything that's been done before. The 73 miles represents Adam's number on the notorious P Company selection course, so every lunge is a tribute to him and his memory.
"It will be brutally tough. Not only is it an unprecedented challenge, but I'm taking it on despite being medically discharged from the Army with chronic back pain in my L2 and L3 facet joints. There will be moments when every step hurts, but that's nothing compared to what some veterans battle every day.
"I've experienced a mental breakdown myself, so I've seen first-hand how dark things can become. Losing Adam was devastating, and I don't want any veteran who has served their country to ever feel that taking their own life is the only way out.
"I'm doing this to raise awareness of the support available through Combat Stress, to honour Adam's memory and to show myself what's possible when you refuse to give up. If this challenge helps keep Adam's name alive and encourages even one veteran to reach out for help, then every mile will be worth it."
Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Combat Stress, said: “We are extremely grateful to Luke for taking on such a gruelling challenge. Attempting to complete 73 miles of lunges is a truly staggering feat, and I am confident that his efforts will inspire others to do their bit in aid of veterans’ mental health.
“We continue to need support from incredible and selfless fundraisers like Luke, and indeed the whole nation, if we are to continue being able to provide life-changing treatment to every veteran who turns to us for help”.
Luke is no stranger to fundraising challenges. In previous years he has raised money in Adam's memory through a series of demanding physical endurance events. His latest challenge is his most ambitious yet and aims not only to raise funds but also awareness of the long-lasting impact that military trauma can have on veterans and their families.
Luke is hoping to raise £5,000 for veterans to receive the life-changing treatment and support they need. To help him, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/adamhuson73
