Ed Button, DOB: 20th June 1981
Regiment – Ex-Royal Green Jackets
I left the Army 3 years ago, and since then have continued to work in Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the MoD/DoD/NATO and ISAF; having frequently seen the horrific injuries in Iraqand Afghanistan I wholly understand the need to offer continued, long term support to our soldiers. A keen skydiver and skier, I enjoy most adventurous sports, but decided that this challenge was for something I couldn’t commit training time to; so instead I will be passing on pearls of wisdom and making sure the guys have all they need to complete this challenge. I am thrilled to be part of the A2A challenge, and to be able to support the guys on this monumental challenge appeals to my sadistic side!!! Biggest A2A challenge – Getting the guys where they need to be!
Regiment – Ex-Royal Green Jackets
I left the Army 3 years ago, and since then have continued to work in Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the MoD/DoD/NATO and ISAF; having frequently seen the horrific injuries in Iraqand Afghanistan I wholly understand the need to offer continued, long term support to our soldiers. A keen skydiver and skier, I enjoy most adventurous sports, but decided that this challenge was for something I couldn’t commit training time to; so instead I will be passing on pearls of wisdom and making sure the guys have all they need to complete this challenge. I am thrilled to be part of the A2A challenge, and to be able to support the guys on this monumental challenge appeals to my sadistic side!!! Biggest A2A challenge – Getting the guys where they need to be!
Griff Freeman, DOB: 17th July 1981
Regiment – Ex Welsh Guards.
Griff Freeman recently left the Army having served for 5 years. He served in Afghanistan and Bosnia as a Platoon Commander, in Jordan and Catterick as a Platoon Commander Instructor, and in Iraq as an Arabic Interpreter. He has now joined a private Swiss bank – Clariden Leu.
“I am extremely lucky to have served in the Welsh Guards and have been on 3 operational tours. I feel even more lucky that these experiences have not come at a physical or mental cost. For this reason, I am passionate about raising money to assist those servicemen whose active duty has brought about a greater personal cost.”
I am excited about beating the World Record for the Enduroman Arch to Arc Challenge. A painful experience involving stinging jellyfish leaves me nervous about the Channel crossing.
Regiment – Ex Welsh Guards.
Griff Freeman recently left the Army having served for 5 years. He served in Afghanistan and Bosnia as a Platoon Commander, in Jordan and Catterick as a Platoon Commander Instructor, and in Iraq as an Arabic Interpreter. He has now joined a private Swiss bank – Clariden Leu.
“I am extremely lucky to have served in the Welsh Guards and have been on 3 operational tours. I feel even more lucky that these experiences have not come at a physical or mental cost. For this reason, I am passionate about raising money to assist those servicemen whose active duty has brought about a greater personal cost.”
I am excited about beating the World Record for the Enduroman Arch to Arc Challenge. A painful experience involving stinging jellyfish leaves me nervous about the Channel crossing.
Simon Hillard, DOB: 9th December 1980
Regiment – Welsh Guards
I spent three years serving in the Welsh Guards and to this day it remains a great privilege to have served along side such great people. Three friends were killed and several of the soldiers I served with were seriously injured two summers ago when the Welsh Guards deployed to Afghanistan. I feel passionately that the soldiers who serve this country should get all the help and support that they deserve. If I can help raise money for these superb charities to help improve the lives of these soldiers then getting fit for the first time in three years in a small price to pay. Biggest A2A challenge – Swimming the channel – I’m scared of the Sea
Regiment – Welsh Guards
I spent three years serving in the Welsh Guards and to this day it remains a great privilege to have served along side such great people. Three friends were killed and several of the soldiers I served with were seriously injured two summers ago when the Welsh Guards deployed to Afghanistan. I feel passionately that the soldiers who serve this country should get all the help and support that they deserve. If I can help raise money for these superb charities to help improve the lives of these soldiers then getting fit for the first time in three years in a small price to pay. Biggest A2A challenge – Swimming the channel – I’m scared of the Sea
Paul Mann, DOB: 26th November 1980
Regiment – Civilian
Currently working in the city in the Financial Services sector. With a competitive sport and rugby playing career now well and truly in the past and following too many visits to the doctor with knee operations (with one more to go!) – I was presented with the opportunity to take on a fresh and slightly daunting challenge of joining the A2A Guards Rally team. With a number of close friends involved in the military and serving in conflict zones, it was difficult not to accept such a chance to raise money for some truly worthwhile causes while at the same time completing what will be without doubt a real test of physical endurance!
Regiment – Civilian
Currently working in the city in the Financial Services sector. With a competitive sport and rugby playing career now well and truly in the past and following too many visits to the doctor with knee operations (with one more to go!) – I was presented with the opportunity to take on a fresh and slightly daunting challenge of joining the A2A Guards Rally team. With a number of close friends involved in the military and serving in conflict zones, it was difficult not to accept such a chance to raise money for some truly worthwhile causes while at the same time completing what will be without doubt a real test of physical endurance!
Andrew Noyons, DOB: 9th August 1982
Former Regiment – Welsh Guards
I left the Welsh Guards in January 2010, after serving two operational tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan, I now work for Morgan Stanley. I hugely enjoy endurance events and have recently completed the Marathon des Sables and the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race. As the world’s longest traithlon the Arch to Arc will be a signifiacnt team challenge and one that will allow us to raise money for injured soldiers and their families. Please help us in this cause.
Biggest A2A challenge – swimming during the night
Former Regiment – Welsh Guards
I left the Welsh Guards in January 2010, after serving two operational tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan, I now work for Morgan Stanley. I hugely enjoy endurance events and have recently completed the Marathon des Sables and the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race. As the world’s longest traithlon the Arch to Arc will be a signifiacnt team challenge and one that will allow us to raise money for injured soldiers and their families. Please help us in this cause.
Biggest A2A challenge – swimming during the night
Andy Prior, DOB:22nd November 1980
Regiment – Irish Guards
I am currently coming to the end of my time in the Army, having completed operational tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. A keen mountaineer and skydiver, I enjoy most adventurous sports. I am very excited about A2A as the challenge appeals to my adventurous side as well being a great opportunity to raise money for our charities. I feel particularly passionate about the fundraising; having seen the wounds soldiers incur first hand I understand the long-term support they need and deserve.
Biggest A2A challenge – Not drinking too much of the Channel!
Regiment – Irish Guards
I am currently coming to the end of my time in the Army, having completed operational tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. A keen mountaineer and skydiver, I enjoy most adventurous sports. I am very excited about A2A as the challenge appeals to my adventurous side as well being a great opportunity to raise money for our charities. I feel particularly passionate about the fundraising; having seen the wounds soldiers incur first hand I understand the long-term support they need and deserve.
Biggest A2A challenge – Not drinking too much of the Channel!
FRED WELLS, DOB: 20th April 1982
Regiment – Coldstream Guards.
Fred Wells commissioned into the Coldstream Guards in 2005, serving initially as a platoon commander in Windsor, Bosnia and Catterick. He has since completed three tours of Afghanistan, based in Kabul, Kandahar and Helmand Province. He is currently Adjutant, 1st Bn Coldstream Guards. Fred rowed at school and for Sandhurst, and completed the Great North Run in a Guards team in 2007, beating an Army record for the fastest time carrying 35lbs – but he has never completed anything as arduous as the A2A challenge. He is particularly anxious about the swimming aspect, having not swum competitively since being in his prep school swimming team over fifteen years ago. The only member of the team still in the Army, he can see first-hand how far the charitable donations go – seeing injured friends’ treatment progress, and the struggling families of those killed benefiting from your generosity.
Regiment – Coldstream Guards.
Fred Wells commissioned into the Coldstream Guards in 2005, serving initially as a platoon commander in Windsor, Bosnia and Catterick. He has since completed three tours of Afghanistan, based in Kabul, Kandahar and Helmand Province. He is currently Adjutant, 1st Bn Coldstream Guards. Fred rowed at school and for Sandhurst, and completed the Great North Run in a Guards team in 2007, beating an Army record for the fastest time carrying 35lbs – but he has never completed anything as arduous as the A2A challenge. He is particularly anxious about the swimming aspect, having not swum competitively since being in his prep school swimming team over fifteen years ago. The only member of the team still in the Army, he can see first-hand how far the charitable donations go – seeing injured friends’ treatment progress, and the struggling families of those killed benefiting from your generosity.
James Bullock-Webster, DOB: 21st April 1981 (Reserve)
Regiment – Irish Guards.
James commissioned into the Irish Guards in 2004 and has subsequently completed tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Contrary to Fred Wells’ piece, he too is serving but was a late addition to the team and is acting as a reserve. “Clearly this is a phenomenal challenge and I truly believe that we are doing this for a worthy cause. One moment in Afghanistan can change you and your family’s lives forever and these unfortunate soldiers need our help. I urge all of you to consider the horror of losing a loved one in battle. Consider too those that are maimed in the course of their selfless duty. I am proud and honoured to be a soldier and a member of the Household Division, A2A is a small act which I hope will assist those who so badly need our help”.
Regiment – Irish Guards.
James commissioned into the Irish Guards in 2004 and has subsequently completed tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Contrary to Fred Wells’ piece, he too is serving but was a late addition to the team and is acting as a reserve. “Clearly this is a phenomenal challenge and I truly believe that we are doing this for a worthy cause. One moment in Afghanistan can change you and your family’s lives forever and these unfortunate soldiers need our help. I urge all of you to consider the horror of losing a loved one in battle. Consider too those that are maimed in the course of their selfless duty. I am proud and honoured to be a soldier and a member of the Household Division, A2A is a small act which I hope will assist those who so badly need our help”.
