We offer our sincere gratitude to one hundred and fifty of our wonderful supporters who completed a virtual 5K this weekend, raising an incredible £1400.00 in support of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.
We were blessed with wonderful weather and it was fantastic to see so many supporters get back together with friends and family after so long apart to catch up, reflect on unprecedented times and support David’s legacy.
Inclusion has always been at the core of our 5K fundraising event, and it was great to see runners, cyclists and walkers, of all ages and abilities, who took to the streets, parks, beaches and woodlands of our local communities of Fife to Western Australia.
The added flexibility of virtual also meant supporters could complete their activity at a time which suited them throughout the weekend and it provided scope to introduce further activities into the mix, such as kayaking and golf.
Craig Letton, who studied with David at Aberdeen University, said:
“We all really liked the virtual approach with the freedom to do what activity we wanted and the donation process via Eventbrite was easy. I think this is a good format that works really well and enables so many to support David’s legacy.”
The weekend proved very poignant for our family as well as many friends and former colleagues within the Armed Forces community, as it marked five years since David tragically died running the Virgin London Marathon.
David was running for the charity, Help for Heroes, and the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund was established to continue raising funds in his name, which supports personnel, veterans and their families through the charity.
Despite challenges presented by the COVID-19 Pandemic, virtual fundraising has enabled David’s legacy to continue to grow during these unprecedented times, a legacy which has now raised over £320,000.00.
These unprecedented times have affected many services provided to veterans and their families by Help for Heroes, who have adapted to virtual and community-based service models to support mental health and wellbeing.
The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund has played its part, which has supported delivery of over one hundred and sixty virtual sessions to veterans, through Help for Heroes, since the Pandemic began last March.
A wide variety of virtual activities have proved popular with veterans and their families, including regular quiz, murder mystery and escape room events as well as drawing, painting, adult colouring-in book and model-making sessions.
Despite optimism concerning the transition out of lockdown restrictions, virtual sessions will remain in place for the time being and funds raised through our virtual 5K will continue to support veterans and their families, via virtual means.
Virtual fundraising has continued to bring so many from within our local community of Dunfermline and beyond together, who generously support David’s legacy, many of whom have served within the British Armed Forces.
Steve Allwood resides in Dunfermline, who served in the Royal Navy and was aboard the HMS Sheffield when it was hit and sunk by Argentinean Air Force during the Falklands War in 1982.
“We will continue supporting the fundraising ran by the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund. Gary and his family are doing an outstanding job in continuing to raise funds for veterans and even more so during these strange times.”
Gary Seath said:
“We are incredibly grateful to all of our wonderful supporters who very kindly completed a virtual 5K this weekend in support of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund. The support we received this weekend meant a lot to our family as we mark five years since David tragically died running the London Marathon and the establishment of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.
“It is clear the COVID-19 Pandemic has had a profound affect on how the third sector continues to raise funds as well as present unique challenges to adapt and respond effectively to continue supporting the needs of beneficiaries. Virtual services has proved critical during these unprecedented times, which have served to reduce isolation and ensure veterans and their families remain connected with one another and the team at Help for Heroes over the past year.
“It’s been a journey of poignant sorrow, unceasing effort and incredible life-changing moments for so many, who have collectively raised over £320,000.00 to support personnel, veterans and their families, through Help for Heroes. A decision was made at 4am in a London hotel to attempt to establish a legacy for David. The kindness, commitment and compassion of so many has led to its realisation and so much more than any one could ever have imagined.”