RAF veteran Paul Cashin's Marathon run raises £2,350 for ssafa

Retired RAF Corporal Paul Cashin ran 26.2 miles around the Capital on October 3 to raise funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

The 47-year-old, from Upton, served as an RAF Avionics Technician from 1995 to 2004 at RAF Waddington and RAF Odiham, helping maintain the RAF’s giant Chinook helicopters and E3D Sentry aircraft.

During service he saw extensive operational service in both Italy and the Gulf to support air missions.

Paul now works as a senior manager for global calibration company Trescal, who have donated to his SSAFA fundraising, along with several of his clients and customers.

When asked about how he had found the Marathon Paul (pictured, reaching the 13-mile mark) said: "It was superb, and it would be great to thank the public for their support, I've already entered the ballot for next year's London Marathon."

Paul’s service in uniform follows a proud family heritage – his grandfather Thomas Cashin was a Chief Petty Officer on HMS Exeter during the Second World War, while his parents Ron and Ann were both police officers.

A former pupil at Hilbre High School in West Kirby, Paul is now a senior manager for global calibration company Trescal.

Besides giving him an excellent opportunity to get fitter by running, Paul chose SSAFA since he became aware of its great support to the Armed Forces community while in the RAF.

The charity, founded in 1885, provides support to our Forces and their families.

Last year, its teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 79,000 people in need, from Second World War veterans to young men and women who have served in more recent conflicts, and their families.

The SSAFA family includes the Military Wives choirs, both an independent charity and a subsidiary of SSAFA, which supports women across the military community. 

Explaining his reasons for running in aid of the charity, Paul (pictured below, enjoying a post-marathon pint) said: "I've been very fortunate, having enjoyed every minute of my time in the RAF.

"I met some great people and visited fantastic places, but some friends and colleagues weren’t so lucky and operational service had an impact on them.

"I saw how they and their families were affected by Forces life and there’ll be other Service families with problems.

"As an 'indestructible 20-year-old' I didn’t need help from SSAFA but was well aware of the service it provides.

"I hope to achieve two things by running the London Marathon for SSAFA.

"Firstly, to encourage more people to get out and run, to give them the feeling of freedom and control that it’s given me.

"Secondly, but more importantly, to raise as much money as I can to help SSAFA support families whose experience was different from mine.

"They shouldn't be forgotten and if I can play just a tiny part in that I'll be very happy."

If you would like to continue to support Paul raising money for SSAFA, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PaulCashin1

To find out more about SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, visit ssafa.org.uk