Swindon resident David Graham is no stranger to ultramarathons, but this summer he will push himself further than ever before. He will complete two ultramarathons in three weeks, covering a total distance of 170 miles, all in aid of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
Growing up in a military family, determination and resilience were instilled in David from an early age. His father served for more than 15 years, reaching the rank of sergeant in the Royal Corps of Transport. His mother worked for the Ministry of Defence for over 20 years, and his uncle served in the King's Own Royal Border Regiment. David knew his ultramarathons needed to be more than an endurance test—they had to make a real difference to the Armed Forces community.
David, 46, will run his first ultramarathon on Saturday, June 13, covering 70 miles along Hadrian's Wall from Carlisle to Newcastle, with an elevation gain of more than 3,460 feet. Just three weeks later, on Saturday, July 4, he will lace up his trainers for the second ultramarathon: a grueling 100 miles from Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland to Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, aiming to finish in under 30 hours.
David, an electrical contracts manager, said: "When choosing a charity for these two events, I knew I wanted one that was close to home. After speaking with my dad, a Royal Corps of Transport veteran, he told me about SSAFA, and I knew it would be the right fit. I went from never knowing about SSAFA to discovering they played an instrumental part in my mum's life after she fell on hard times—supporting her emotionally and financially when she needed it most."
He added: "SSAFA came back into my family's life once more when my uncle and his wife suffered a devastating house fire, stepping in to help fund new carpets and other goods to rebuild their home. It's been a charity that has played a quiet, consistent role in my family's life, and I will be forever grateful for their support. There will be other families and people like me who may go a long time never knowing someone close to them has sought support. More people need to know about SSAFA and how they can support veterans, serving personnel, and their families."
SSAFA, the UK's oldest tri-service charity, has supported the Armed Forces community for over 140 years. Its teams of trained volunteers and employees provide practical, emotional, and financial assistance to those in need, ensuring they never battle alone.
David reflected on his own challenges: "I've had to overcome many obstacles, from the emotional journey of losing my mum and uncle to the physical tests of having bad asthma as a child, a collapsed lung at 18, a knee injury in my twenties that required full reconstruction, and even alopecia from pushing my body too hard while training for my first marathon. However, I know those who serve have to overcome so much more, both while deployed and when they return home. During my training and when I reach those start lines, I'll be thinking of those who have gone through so much to keep us safe."
Tackling these epic distances requires more than just race day effort; it demands sheer grit and determination throughout training. Over six months, David will cover nearly 1,000 miles—the equivalent of running from London to Rome. Both ultramarathons offer stunning views: Hadrian's Wall traverses English countryside with moors, rivers, and valleys, ending in Newcastle's iconic Gateshead Quayside. The 100-mile route from Bamburgh to Edinburgh covers ancient paths, stunning coastlines, moorlands, and villages, culminating at Edinburgh Castle.
David added: "I was never a real runner. My passion for the sport started from necessity while I worked away from home for 15 years. My evenings were spent down the pub, but I knew that needed to change, so I swapped the pints for the pavement. What started as a 5k became 10k, then a half marathon, and the distances just kept growing."
To support David's mission and help raise vital funds for SSAFA, visit his JustGiving page.
