Participants

Jonnie Bradshaw

Jonnie went down from Oxford University in 2003 to join the RAF. Having previously met in 2002, David and Jonnie completed Helicopter Training at RAF Shawbury where they became close friends. As well as learning to fly, they ended up playing a fair bit of poker, golf and hockey together each to a varying level of success. They then both headed off to the Puma Force at RAF Benson and they were both looking forward to deploying to Iraq together at the end of 2007. Jonnie splits his life between his base near Belfast and the flat he shares in Putney with fellow participant, Etienne Smith.

Adam Conlon

Adam attended The University of Durham with David, trawling the delights of Northern England in the search for elusive league points. Originally from Ireland, Adam is currently deployed to a trench in Afghanistan, from where he is focusing on fighting the insurgents and growing his beard in equal proportions.

Xavier Davidson

As one of Xavier’s oldest friends, David and Xavier saw one another grow up and experience all of life’s rights of passages together - from primary school to playing hockey with each other (and also against each other) through to their first girlfriends, going to nearby universities and into their working adulthood. Still living in the North East, Xavier now runs his own business working in the television industry, although running in the challenge is expected to be a much harder task.

Peter Ellis

Pete was at The University of Durham and a member of the Hockey Club with David. They met whilst singing 'Singing in the Rain' on the way to Klute after the Freshers' Dinner. Pete and David represented the University and Durham County, and toured together through South Africa, Holland and Liverpool. They also spent many Thursdays travelling to the middle of nowhere to claim the indoor hockey league and cup double under David's captaincy. Pete is currently teaching in Croydon and training hard (well, training). Pete is looking forward to learning how to ride a bike – three hours of experience (in his life), probably being less than the average 28 year old.

Tom Hughes

Tom was a member of St Aidan’s College and the Hockey Club at The University of Durham with David, sharing a house in their final year. During three years of uninspired defending, David saved the blushes of the frighteningly porous defence ahead of him on a number of crucial occasions. Since University, David and Tom enjoyed a trip to Miami and David represented Tom’s village cricket team (where he second top scored with 7 runs). Tom works for Convergys and lives in Florida, where training on the beach and in the sea is proving easier than the English equivalents (but not that easy). Tom is currently evaluating whether he is able to sidestroke more than 10 metres at any one time.

Paul Klimowicz

Paul was at The University of Durham with David, playing hockey together for 3 years, including a successful tour to South Africa in 2000. David was the self proclaimed saviour of the hockey side - an ever present influence and voice in the team. His rapier wit often made up for Paul’s self acknowledged lack of rapier pace. Since university, Paul and David went on a number of tours – as part of the Peccadilloes and the DUMHC Ghosts. Paul now works for Deloitte in London, and has spent the last couple of months designing an impressive training regime. Next for the delivery.

Phil Marshall

Phil attended The University of Durham between 1999 and 2002 and was at the College of St. Hild & St. Bede. He first met David when he was invited to tour with the Men’s Hockey 1st XI to South Africa in his first year. Being a fellow goalkeeper the two of them rarely took to the pitch at the same time, but as David grew older his confidence as a striker developed, which allowed the two of them to play on the same side on many occasions. Phil works for Sky Sports in London. His Wandsworth residence combines beautiful views of both the City of London and the local gym, so he is confident training shouldn’t be too much of a problem. However, the 3 previous years with the very same view have warranted no more than a visit to the gym every 6 months.

Guy Lockwood

Guy was at The University of Durham with David. They met in 2000 with a common interest in the social side of tertiary education. Guy and David joined the Royal Air Force together in 2002. They went their separate ways during flying training with David chosen to fly helicopters and Guy fixed wing. Throughout their time in the RAF they remained in close contact and travelled to London frequently in David's Westfield to visit friends; quite a challenge in a car made for two smaller individuals. David and Guy also found time to complete the Joint Services Ski Instructors Course in Southern Germany together whilst on a break from Flying Training. Guy currently lives in Lincolnshire and does not own a bicycle.

Richard Pickersgill

Richard knew David from the tender age of 2, as they grew up in the tree lined leafy Northern suburbs. It was very easy to see that from a young age David was going to do something exciting, as it is reported that he was always the one courting mischief. As youngsters, Richard and David played hockey together for school, club, county and the North East. Richard attended The University of Durham with David, and they lived together in David’s second year. More recently, David ‘buzzed’ the school that Richard teaches at in Buckingham. Despite a broken leg putting Richard back in terms of training he is still looking to compete in the challenge.

Mark Scholey

Mark was a Durham University hockey player and an active member of the executive committee that organised David’s first overseas hockey tour to Barcelona in 1998. As a Vice-President of the hockey club, Mark continues to assist with the organisation of the regular reunion events that David attended on many occasions. Mark now works on the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. A member of two hockey touring sides that David was part of (the Dun Cow Vagrants and DUMHC Ghosts), Mark is also a veteran of several marathons and one triathlon.

Etienne Smith

Etienne joined the Royal Air Force in October 2002 and began officer training with David at RAF Cranwell. During the 6 months of the course, David assumed various positions ranging from Force Commander for one of the exercises to Graduation Ball Treasurer at the end; assisted by Etienne, they ensured that the generous budget was directed more towards liquid than balloons. Since then, Etienne has spent most of his leave in the Alps where David joined him on a number of occasions. When not at the Queen Adelaide or The Cat's Back, David was often found on Etienne's sofa in Putney. Etienne works for the Royal Air Force in Lincolnshire.

In addition

We know that we won’t be able to complete this challenge on our own and we’ll rely on many people to help us behind the scenes. Right from the off, we’ve had generous offers of support, and we’d like to thank those who have already contributed to the cause – not least solve-design, Tiffany Broome, Mrs Lockwood, Katherine Barney, Andrew Eames, Eddie Carter & Liz Kelleher.