Thea's 415 mile running challenge
28 October 2012
Thea Davies’ life changed forever on 26th May 2012 when her partner - 29 year old Captain Stephen Healey of 1st Ballalion The Royal Welsh, died in action in Afghanistan. While Thea would be forgiven for immersing herself in grief, she has instead chosen to honour Captain Healey’s memory by undertaking a 415 mile, year-long running challenge to raise funds for his favourite charity – Blind Veterans UK.
Thea started the challenge with the London Parks Half Marathon on the 7th October 2012 and plans to end with the Chester Marathon on the 6th October 2013, which she and Stephen completed in 2011. Thea chose the figure of 415 miles as Captain Healey was the 415th fallen soldier.
Captain Healey was an active fundraiser for Blind Veterans UK because of the support that we gave to a number of soldiers who had lost their sight through IED explosions in Afghanistan. Just before his last tour he organised a blindfolded sponsored walk to our rehabilitation and training centre in Llandudno, North Wales.
Captain Healey was greatly respected. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond payed tribute to him saying: " The tributes of his colleagues speak of a true leader, one that was liked and respected to all those who served with him".
Captain Healey was immensely proud of what he and his regiment were doing in Afghanistan, he relished the job.
If you would like to support Thea's challenge, you can cheer her on at the following events:
The Chester Standard Distance Triathlon - 2 June 2013
The Cotswold 113 Middle Distance Triathlon - 16 June 2013
The Wales Marathon - 14 July 2013
Adidas 24hour Thunder Run - 27 July 2013
North Wales Half Marathon - 4 August 2013
Salisbury 54321 50km Ultra Marathon - 11 August 2013
The Great North Run - 15 September 2013
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon - 29 September 2013
The Chester Marathon - 6 October 2013
Completed Events:
The Royal Parks Half Marathon - 7 October 2012
Thea successfully completed the 13 mile Royal Parks half marathon in 1:42:03 hours, which was a personal best. Well done Thea!
The Cardiff Half Marathon - 14 October 2012
Thea completed her home town Cardiff half marathon in 01:42:56 hours. Congratulations!
The Salisbury Half Marathon - 28 October 2012
Thea finished the half marathon in 1:45:39 hours and came in third position in her age group and 58th overall! Well done Thea.
The Conwy Half Marathon - 18 November 2012
Thea finished the Conwy half marathon in 1:47:24 hours!
The Bermuda Marathon - 18 January 2013
Thea ran the Bermuda Triangle Marathon with Major Ed Hill, company commander to Thea's partner Captain Stephen Healey. Thea finished the marathon in 4:14:09 hours.
The Brighton Half Marathon - 17 February 2013
Thea finished the Brighton half marathon in 1:51:59 hours, a great performance!
The Bath Half Marathon - 3 March 2013
Thea finished in 1:48:00 hours, well done!
The Rome Marathon - 17 March 2013
Thea finished in 4:08:00 hours, Tom finished in 3:29:00 and Rhys Bartlett finished in 4:10:00 hours. Well done to both Thea, Rhys and Tom!
The Paris Marathon - 7 April 2013
Thea finished the Paris Marathon in 4:05:00 hours.
The Brighton Marathon - 14 April 2013
Thea finished the Brighton Marathon in 04:04:22 hours! This is her new personal best Marathon time. Thea ran with Andrew Fox who ran carrying 40lbs on his back and finished in 04:33:01 hours and was joined by Daniel Banfield who completed the marathon in 06:47:01 hours whilst carrying 55lbs on his back.
The Virgin London Marathon - 21 April 2013
Thea finished the Virgin London Marathon in a fantastic 04:10:43 hours! Thea started off the race with Captain Stephen Healey's Sandhurst friend Chris Collier, who completed the Marathon in an extremely impressive 02:58:54! Well done Thea and Chris!
The Manchester Marathon - 28th April 2013
Thea finished the Manchester Marathon between 04:15 and 04:30 hours - The specific time is not yet known as she forgot her watch on the day.
The Belfast Marathon - 6 May 2013
Thea completed the Belfast Marathon in 04:20 hours. Well done thea, 5th marathon in 5 weeks!
The Chester Half Marathon - 12 May 2013
Thea ran with officers from the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh and finished in 01:58 hours.
To find out more about Thea's challenge, and to make a donation in memory of Catain Healey, please visit Thea's Just Giving page at http://www.justgiving.com/415miles or like her Facebook page www.facebook.com/415miles
For more information on how you can make a difference to the lives of vision-impaired ex-Service men and women by fundraising for Blind Veterans UK, email us at fundraising@blindveterans.org.uk or call us on 020 7616 7966.
