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We offer our sincere thanks to George Batchelor and Greg Labonte, who successfully hiked Ben Nevis on Saturday 27 May 2017 and raised over £350 in support of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.

Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles stands at 1,345 metres above sea level, which presents a serious challenge to the most seasoned of hikers. The unpredictable weather proved a challenge for our intrepid pair who safely negotiated periods of heavy rain and high winds to make their way to the summit.

The guys were part of a wider group of friends who worked together with David at the Halfway House, Dunfermline. The group enjoyed many ‘lively’ evenings at George’s House, and many infamous shenanigans which took place now form the basis of so many wonderful memories.

George said:

“The lives Dave touched after his tragic death has brought so much hope to others who need it. His legacy has spread far beyond what I am sure he thought possible. David we all know was quite a character, but I just miss my friend who I will never forget.”

David’s brother Gary, who founded The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund last year, was also part of this group of friends, who said:

“I look back fondly on so many memorable evenings spent with the guys at George’s house watching films and playing video games as well as host of ‘other’ activities. I think what they guys have accomplished is a fantastic tribute to David’s memory and I am grateful for the funds that they have raised in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.”

The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund has received the Dunfermline Press Charity Champion Award during an inspirational ceremony at the Glen Pavilion, Dunfermline on Friday 02 June 2017.

The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund was nominated by Dunfermline Press Journalist Ross Hart in recognition of raising £270,000 and providing over 170 financial grants to wounded, injured and sick personnel and veterans since David’s tragic death running the 2016 London Marathon.

Beneficiaries have used the funds to purchase specialist rehabilitation and sports therapy equipment, enable respite breaks and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) therapies and facilitate supported employment placements and the setting up of small businesses.

The support the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund has received from the local community has been incredible who have supported many events organised by the charity. In addition, local schools, community groups and local business have supported David’s legacy by organising a wide range of fundraising events including 3.2 mile commemorative walks, bake sales and swimathons.

Gary Seath, Founder of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund said:

“We are very proud to have received this award in recognition of what we have achieved so far through the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund. It is very important that we, in turn, recognise everyone who has donated money, organised and attended fundraising events in the local community, without the support we have received there would be no legacy.”

Looking for a golf day with a difference this year?

Whether you wish to book as an individual, pair, triple or full team of four, why not consider our Captain David Seath Memorial Fund Golf Day at Fairmont, St Andrews on Thursday 31 August 2017. From the moment you arrive with your work colleagues, friends or family, we promise everyone a fantastic experience at the home of golf.

We shall warmly welcome our guests with breakfast, including hot filled rolls, tea and coffee and then provide a golf clinic with Fairmont professionals for final tweaks and alterations prior to setting out for eighteen holes on the Kittocks Course.

Captain David Seath served with distinction in both 19th Regiment Royal Artillery and 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery. Representatives from 105 Regiment Royal Artillery will fire a 105mm cannon (what you see at Edinburgh Castle!) for our shotgun start and the closest the pin greens will be converted into machine gun nests and forward observations posts.

Our teams will compete for the CaptainDavid Seath Memorial Fund trophy by playing a Texas Scramble on the Kittocks Course. Teams will be able to download a special app to keep track of their progress, as well their rivals, throughout the competition. Each team will be provided with a buggy, for that extra touch of luxury.

We shall welcome our guests back to the clubhouse, which boasts incredible panoramic views of the East of Scotland coastline, for a sumptuous two course dinner. Our event host David Tanner, Sky Sports, will interview the winning team and run an auction of sporting memorabilia.

View video of the Kittocks Course

For further information, please contact gary.seath@outlook.com or book your tickets

Matt Brown, who served with Captain David Seath in 19th Regiment Royal Artillery, had planned to run the 2017 London Marathon in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund. Matt had applied for the London Marathon ballot but, as he describes, his plans changed dramatically:

“I actually applied like many to the London Marathon to retrace Dave’s steps, albeit no doubt in half the pace of the wee man. However, unfortunately those plans were curtailed when I ruptured my cruciate ligament playing football pre-Xmas. Undeterred by the lack of right knee, I decided that I wanted to do something that would still raise some money for Dave’s true cause even if it wasn’t in the same Commando league. My Dad had always wanted to walk the length of Hadrian’s Wall, and on recollection of talking Roman military history days with Dave, I thought it befitting to embark upon something that I’m sure he would have been keen to join along with.”

Matt was joined on the challenge by his father, Mike, and his brother, Calum, who set off on Tuesday 18th April 2017. Matt describes his experience:

“Setting off on Tuesday 18th April, with some dry weather (that would luckily stay for the week), the Browns set off from near Carlisle for the first day of walking following the ancient route of Hadrian’s Wall. Taking in a ‘mere’ 22 miles the first day my younger Brother set the pace, a small realisation of my now ageing legs compared to previous charity adventures.

“Into day two and a slight question against my Dad’s route planning as off we went to tackle 20 miles up and over the crags, the toughest part of the walk and certainly a test of the recently fixed up right knee! Staying in basic B&Bs along the way, there were some aching bodies after first challenging days, before contours started to flatten out Eastwards towards Newcastle. We stopped at Roman mile castles, forts and ruins along the way, helping to break up the injuries and pains now coming thick and fast. But a last few miles along the River Tyne of a worthwhile family Brown challenge in the fresh air, whilst gratefully raising over £1200 for the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.”

We offer our sincere thanks to Matt, Mike and Calum for their incredible fundraising in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.

We are delighted to announce that The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund has been selected as a finalist in the Charity Champion category of the 2017 Dunfermline Press Community Champion Awards.

The nomination has been made by Ross Hart of the Dunfermline Press, who has very generously covered many of our fundraising events in the local community. We offer our sincere thanks to Ross for his wonderful support.

Ross nominated Gary Seath, the Founder of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund, in recognition of commitment and dedication in establishing his brother’s legacy supporting those who have experienced physical and psychological trauma in service of their country.

A year since Captain Seath’s tragic death running the 2016 London Marathon, The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund has raised over £270,000 and supported one hundred and seventy-five beneficiaries, providing financial support to rebuild their lives.

The nomination also recognises the incredible contribution made by the local community and beyond, who have donated, organised and participated in fundraising events throughout the past year.

Gary Seath said:

“We are extremely humbled to have been nominated and, indeed, selected as finalists for the ‘Charity Champion’ award. It think it’s imperative that we recognise the support we have received from the local community who have donated, organised and attended fundraising events in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund. We offer our sincere thanks to everyone involved, without their support there would be no legacy.”

A team of inspirational people have successfully completed the London West Tough Mudder UK event, who have raised an incredible £667.48 in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.

The group was led by Charles McNeill Love, who studied at Aberdeen University with Captain David Seath, who said:

“David and I were at University together in Aberdeen and of course I have some incredibly fond memories. He is gone but certainly not forgotten.

“Tough Mudder 2017 was a great excuse for a group of friends to come together to laugh, cry, and get cold to raise money for a great cause, Help for Heroes, in the memory of Captain David Seath. Despite being bruised and battered, every member of our team completed the full course!

“The group now has the bug and wants to continue to challenge ourselves and raise money for Help for Heroes. This morning we all entered the ballot for the London Marathon 2018! Fingers crossed. Thank you to everyone who supported us and continues to raise money for this vitally important charity”.

The team’s incredible fundraising will support David’s legacy through The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund, which provides financial support to wounded, injured and sick personnel and veterans through Help for Heroes.

A year on, over £270,000 has been raised by The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund and one hundred and seventy-five financial grants have been awarded to beneficiaries who have encountered physical and psychological trauma in service of their country.

Beneficiaries have used the funds to purchase specialist rehabilitation equipment, enable respite care, PTSD therapy and facilitate supported employment placements and the setting up of small businesses.

Gary Seath, Founder of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund, said:

“We are extremely grateful to Charles and his team for taking on Tough Mudder UK, London West in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund. David believed strongly in the pillars of teamwork, resilience and dedication as an Officer of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery and Charles’ team have certainly epitomised these values in accomplishing their objective and raising a fantastic amount of money in support of David’s legacy.”

If you would like further information about participating in Tough Mudder UK in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund, please contact gary.seath@outlook.com

A team of Captain David Seath’s friends and former Army colleagues have completed the 2017 London Marathon, raising over £6000 in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.

Captain David Seath tragically died running the 2016 London Marathon in support of the charity Help for Heroes. As a mark of respect, the team elected to wear the same colours worn by Captain Seath as well as a specially made commemorative black ribbon.

Many within the team met Captain David Seath at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where strong bonds of friendship were formed throughout a gruelling year of Army Officer training.

Alex Davis, who trained to be an Army Officer with Captain Seath at Sandhurst, said:

“Dave was a great friend and colleague of mine. His companionship through the best and worst of times has helped shape the man I am today. I miss him dearly. After his death a Help for Heroes fund was set up in Dave’s name – The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund. The fund was started by Dave’s brother Gary and I wished to continue Dave and Gary’s great work by raising funds for this worthwhile cause.”

Alex ran alongside David Jones throughout the London Marathon, who also attended Sandhurst with Captain Seath.

David said:

“The physical battle is obvious but mentally it was pretty tiring, particularly near the end. It took us over our sub-4 hour target but it was far more important that we finished it together. Dave would have taken huge amusement from the faces that Alex pulled in those final few miles.”

Many within the team spoke about the poignant moment approaching the 23 mile mark on Upper Thames Street, where Captain David Seath collapsed last year having experienced a cardiac arrest.

Angela Fewster-Neale said:

“It was an incredibly emotional day for me and I almost broke close to the end, but memories of Dave gave a huge sense of purpose and determination to succeed.”

Anna and Bill Campbell served in Afghanistan alongside Captain Seath in 19th Regiment Royal Artillery as part of Operation Herrick 16, who said:

“It’s been such an honour to run for Dave today. It was really quite emotional. It’s been a privilege to be a part of this, to raise money for this amazing cause and to honour Dave’s memory. Ubique.”

The team’s incredible fundraising will support David’s legacy through The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund, which provides financial support to wounded, injured and sick personnel and veterans through Help for Heroes.

A year on, over £270,000 has been raised by The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund and one hundred and seventy-five financial grants have been awarded to beneficiaries who have encountered physical and psychological trauma in service of their country.

Beneficiaries have used the funds to purchase specialist rehabilitation equipment, enable respite care, PTSD therapy and facilitate supported employment placements and the setting up of small businesses.

Gary Seath, Founder of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund, said:

“It’s very important to recognise the incredible bravery, dedication and commitment our group of inspirational people have shown in support David’s legacy. I have no doubt that making the poignant trip in retracing David’s steps was incredibly emotional and we can’t thank them all enough for raising such an exceptional amount of money in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.”

Over two-hundred and fifty supporters from the local community joined Captain David Seath’s family to walk, run and dog-jog around Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline on Sunday 23 April 2017, raising over £1600 in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.

The Captain David Seath Memorial 5K event was organised as a means to commemorate one year since David’s tragic death running the London Marathon, and the distance was chosen because it closely equates to the 3.2 miles David tragically did not finish.

The event was organised by the Gary Seath, the Founder of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund, who said:

“Today has been both poignant and emotional, but the incredible support from the local community today has contributed to a real sense of solidarity as we commemorate one year since David’s tragic death running last year’s London Marathon. We can’t thank everyone enough for coming along this morning and supporting our work through The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.”

One year on from the tragic events in London, The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund has raised over £270,000 and provided financial support to over one-hundred and seventy beneficiaries who have used the funds to rebuild their lives having experienced physical and psychological trauma in service of their country.

Gary continued:

“To have supported over one-hundred and seventy beneficiaries rebuild their lives having experienced physical and psychological trauma in service of their country is very important, and this has only been only possible thanks to the support we have received from the local community and beyond.”

Afghanistan veteran Neil Edward Jones received a financial grant from The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund to purchase a kayak and equipment as part of his sports recovery from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),

Having returned from Afghanistan, PTSD took a firm hold of Neil’s day-to-day life, and  he has shown incredible courage in sharing his story with us and describing how the financial grant he has received from The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund has assisted in rebuilding his life.

“I have lost everything in my life and I let PTSD dictate my life up until recently. After losing my family and home with an addiction to Alcohol and with no reason to live I would close the curtains by 2pm-3pm in the day, get drunk to try an enable me to sleep for a few hours prior to 04.45 hrs every day where my nightmares start.

“My whole clock revolved around my nightmares and worrying for the next night; I was tied with no strength and no will to live, there was just no point to keep on fighting a war years later which is tiring with no sign of peace. If I went to a supermarket or busy place I would see an illusion of a little Afghan Girl pulling on my leg, a real memory of an operation I was involved in where I had taken a high profile terrorist prisoner at 04.45 hrs on an operation in his home with his daughter screaming and crying trying to fight me as I dragged her farther away from her.

“The world is a better and safer place with this bad man away, however I still have guilt for his daughter maybe my daughter was the same age at the time or similar age, and this vision has stuck with me to this day. Trying to walk into a busy place like Tesco’s and be normal is extremely hard with a little girl fighting, kicking and pulling your leg screaming at you. Together with the nightmare’s you believe you can never be well enough to work, care for your family or have any sort of life.

“I began to fight back a few months ago; after being homeless, I was first stabilised in a veterans shared home with support then I was housed with an apartment in Cardiff Sports Village with a view of the water from my chair in a corner looking out the window. Therapy is seldom and it feels like there is no end to the life and that it just can’t progress. But I would look at the water and say to myself, if I can get on that water I can train myself to get better for my kids, and just be someone again; not the man I was but if I could take Daniel, my 5 year old son, and Helena, my 3 year old daughter, to do something with me, even if they can some day watch me, they may remember me for something, as they are too young to know me as anything else.”

Neil regularly kayaks with a group of fellow veterans through the Cardiff Veterans Outdoor Activity Club and his recovery continues to go from strength-to-strength.

Tony, a fellow member of the Cardiff Veterans Outdoor Activity Club said:

“I’ve only known Neil for a couple of months; but as a former commando, I’ve seen a number of lads struggle with the challenges of war. His immersion in to kayaking (apologies for the pun!) has unlocked something. Neil has grown in self-esteem and stature. A natural leader, as he encourages those around him he is learning to laugh again and enjoy what he is doing. The banter, the sense of identity and purpose, and his clear intent to achieve something hitherto unknown has helped him find a channel and establish new friendships.

“He appears to have created the ‘space’ to think about life ahead, establish plans, and have a clear goal centred around his family. I can only thank both the donors and trustees of the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund – you should be proud that you are taking forward David’s memory through your generosity. I didn’t have the honour to serve with David while I was in the Corps; but my guess knowing a good many gunner commandos is that he and Neil would have got on – professional, mutual respect, underwritten by humour and humility.”

Neil continues:

“I have no regrets with reference to my career and life, I write this letter with a huge amount of pride in my heart and a tear in my eye. I was taken back by the Captain David Seath Memorial fund and how it has helped me and other’s through a financial grant for kayaking equipment to assist with my sport recovery.

“It is a great honour to receive your support from The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund and I am very grateful, It’s extremely hard to talk about let alone write about, but I really want you to know in some form, the difference the financial grant has made to me. Please also remember David with pride and thank you for your fantastic help and dedication to other Veterans.”

Donate in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund

Students from Glasgow Caledonian University have raised over £100 in support of The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund.

Second year Business Students Sarah-Jayne Tunstall, Sarah Steel, Alexandrian Tzevelekos, Azar Ace Rasulov and Nathan Quinn organised a university fun day which included games, a raffle and a confectionary stall for fellow students and staff.

The event, which the students organised as part of their Business Studies course, was of special significance to David’s cousin Sarah-Jayne, who said:

“The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund is a charity close to our hearts and therefore saw no other alternative but to fundraise in support of it. We believe the event went very smoothly and turned out to be a success.

“There was great interest and interaction throughout the day from students and lecturers, who were intrigued to hear more about the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund. With this, were able to raise money for an extremely worthy cause, helping those who served our country”.

The Captain David Seath Memorial Fund provides financial support to wounded, injured and sick personnel and veterans through Help for Heroes. So far, over £270,000 has been raised and over one-hundred and seventy financial grants have been awarded.

The funds have been used by beneficiaries to purchase specialist rehabilitation equipment, enable respite breaks and PTSD therapy as well as facilitate supported employment placements and the setting up of businesses. Based on the kind words received from several beneficiaries, our work is making a huge difference in rebuilding lives.

Our sincere thanks to Sarah-Jayne, Sarah, Alexandrian, Azar and Nathan for supporting David’s legacy.