CRAM raises funds for wounded soldiers
Soldiers from the Counter Rocket Artillery Mortar (CRAM) detachment 4 at Multi National Base Tarin Kot have been running, rowing and pack marching for charity.
Since January, the 30 person CRAM 4 team has clocked up more than 8000km performing physical activity during their eight month deployment, raising funds for the Wounded Heroes Australia organisation.
The idea to stage the CRAM run home came from Bombardier (Bdr) Jack King.
“I came up with the idea when I was on leave, thinking as most of us go to the gym daily and how it can be sometimes hard to find motivation,” Bdr King said.
“So I thought up a system for us to exercise towards travelling the distance in km from here to our unit in Woodside South Australia 10,675km away.
“Down the track it became an opportunity for us to raise money for charity.”
CRAM Watch Keeper Lieutenant (Lt) Renee Summers, suggested the team raise money for the Wounded Heroes Australia organisation.
“The charity does a lot for wounded soldiers and their families in Australia and the unit at home has raised money for them in the past,” Lt Summers said.
“Here we want to want to raise a dollar for every km we travel, so more than $10,600.
“So far we’ve raised more than $6400 and have an accumulated travel distance of more than 8000km, which on our virtual map has us at Broome in Western Australia.
CRAM OC Major (Maj) James Roberts said the activity was a team bonding experience.
“I’m really proud of what they’re doing here and they’ve taken this on as an extra activity to what physical training they normally do,” Maj Roberts said.
“They’re using their own time to raise the funds and they are doing a magnificent job.”
Bdr King is leading his team mates in the event, having covered more than 900km so far.
He has done this by running, cycling and pack marching with up to 40kg on his back.
To make a donation to the CRAM run home effort and to track their progress visit https://give.everydayhero.com/au/cram4 and http://www.woundedheroes.org.au/default.html