Festive fancy dress run sees soldiers do their bit for wounded colleagues

Dec 26 2007 by David Higgerson, Liverpool Daily Post

SOLDIERS from Merseyside were among 500 servicemen and women in Basra, Iraq, who took part in a traditional military “Turkey Trot” – a 5km fun run around the base, in support of Britain’s Help for Heroes campaign.

Participants came from all camps around the base, from Major General Binns, the General Officer Commanding Multi-National Division (South East) through to Harry, Duke and Rush from the Working Dog Section.

Each runner paid £10 for their entry into the race, with all the proceeds going directly to charity. Buckets were also taken around the route to encourage even more donations. The 1st Battalion Duke Of Lancaster regiment is currently in Basra, and soldiers from the battalion, which recruits on Merseyside, were among those taking part.

Fancy dress was encour- aged, and troops turned out in everything from Borat “mankinis” to full scuba- diving gear, even black tie. Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Porter, Commanding Officer of Contingency Operating Base Support Unit, said: “We wanted to organise a fun event for the troops on Christmas Day, and decided to try to raise some money at the same time for a good cause.”