February 6, 2014 4.28 pm This story is over 121 months old

RAF gunners to run Lincoln 10k for colleague’s charity

Run for support: A tam of past and present RAF gunners will run the Lincoln 10k to raise money for a colleague’s charity.
The serving and retired RAF Gunners, nicknamed Rockapes, taking part in their first Lincoln 10k last year.

A team of past and present RAF gunners will run the Lincoln 10k to raise money for a colleague’s child.

The “Rockapes” squad hope to help towards raising £65,000 for Help Me Hear, a cause set up by ex-regiment member Paul Pickard for his deaf son, who has CHARGE syndrome.

Danny Pickard (2) was born without auditory nerves, meaning he needs an auditory brain stem implant to hear, but needs the specialist surgery in Italy.

Last year, Rockapes raised £3,093 for the RAF Benevolent Fund by running the Active Nation Lincoln 10k Road Race.

Rockapes member Sean Allerton (48) said: “Last year 34 Rockapes took part with more than 600 years of service between them.

“Lincoln was the first event we did as a group and hopefully it’s going to become our race.

“We ran as a squad, starting at the front and finishing together with a time of one hour 30 minutes. No-one’s left behind. We’re hoping to do the same again this year.”

Sean Allerton has been in a wheelchair since he broke his neck in service, but that did not stop him taking part in the race last year.

Rockapes runners range in age from their 20s up to even their 70s.

Sean added: “One of the lads came down from Aberdeen, we come from all over the country.

“All ranks were represented from the lowest all the way up. The squad was fantastic. There were guys that hadn’t run in years.

“It was just a really, really brilliant day. There were people cheering us on we’d never seen.

“We really were looked after and the atmosphere was brilliant. We had a laugh and raised money but we achieved something for ourselves as well. That’s why we’re doing it again.

“We’re getting lots of support already so hopefully we can raise some money for Danny.”

This year’s 10k already has 2,000 people signed up to run on April 6.

Entry costs £23, or £21 to those affiliated with a running club.

On April 5, there are a number of separate events for children, such as the free 2.8km Direct Textiles Ltd Primary Schools Race, for nine to 11-years, and the 5km Running Imp Secondary School Race for 11 to 14-year-olds.

All 10k weekend entrants will receive a t-shirt, medal and goody bag.

To enter, visit Lincoln10k.co.uk, or get a paper form by contacting [email protected] or 01522 873771.

Entries close at 4pm on Friday, March 21.