Oldham's ‘Born Survivors’ tackle commando-designed obstacle course to raise cash for veterans’ aid organisation

Four Oldham men can each say they are a ‘Born Survivor’ after tackling a gruelling Royal Marine Elite Commando-designed obstacle course of the same name.

The four – Louis Green of VTA Recruitment in Middleton, Matt Wilson and Dan Mounsey of Oldham-based Hill’s Panel Products (HPP), and childcare sector worker Dom Abraham – tackled the course in aid of Healthier Heroes, a not-for-profit aid organisation for armed service veterans, and members of the NHS and other blue light services.

The intrepid quartet had to conquer a 10k route filled with 30-plus military grade obstacles, epic slides, leg-sapping mud and natural barriers including river crossings – all with the aim of getting round together through teamwork.

Louis put the team together after working with Healthier Heroes on training and recruitment projects for several years through a friendship with its founder and MD.

He said: “We all got round and finished together, which is what it was all about. It was tough, and there were lots of obstacles that someone had to get over, or get to the top of, so they could help the rest of the team.

"I’d do it again – but I think I’d do more training next time!”

Each of the four have set themselves fundraising targets of £250 towards a team target of £1,250, which includes £250 from military veteran Jasper Kiragga, a South Yorkshire firefighter who had to miss the event due to last-minute work commitments.

Although not a veteran himself, MD Louis launched VTA Recruitment with a mission to create logistics sector employment opportunities for service leavers, ex-military, reservists as well as the wider community.

The firm is one of only three organisations locally to hold the Armed Forces Covenant silver award under its Employer Recognition Scheme.

Meanwhile, Matt Wilson, HPP’s Finance Manager, explained: “I’ve known Louis since we were teenagers at Hopwood Hall College together.

“I’d recently done the Man Versus Mountain challenge in Wales, which is just shy of a marathon that starts at sea level at Caernarfon Castle and then running to Mount Snowdon, up to the top, back down and then doing some more challenges, so I think he saw me as a suitable fit.

"I then enlisted Dan (Mounsey) knowing he’d be good for the team with all his endurance running experience.”

Healthier Heroes, which is based in Burnley, was established in 2018 by its MD Andrew Powell, an ex-Colour Sergeant who served 16 years in the infantry, and his wife Rio.

It has won awards for services within the community, successfully ran leadership development programmes and Military Resilience Programmes in schools, colleges and businesses across the North West, helping a multitude of military veterans and their families since it was established.

If you would like to sponsor the team, you can do so through Louis’ fundraising page here

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