At precisely 4:15 pm today, 80 years ago, Michael and his courageous crew members – R. Amey, F. Livesey, D. McCray, D. Kennedy, G. Lane, and R. Shackleton – departed RAF Skellingthorpe together, their target being Munich.
Today, I am proud to share that I have completed a personal goal I set on January 1st of this year: to walk 1,071 miles, a distance that represents the total number of miles covered across all of Michael’s sorties (averaging it across the 28 missions he participated in), and to raise £1 for every mile walked. This morning, my wife and I were blessed with a beautiful day and thoughtfully planned our journey to Durnbach War Cemetery. We found a bus that brought us near the site, and from there, we walked the remainder of the way.
Although the cemetery lies adjacent to a relatively busy road, it exudes a sense of peace and tranquillity. The view of the mountains, paired with the meticulously maintained plots, serves as a testament to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the dedicated gardeners who tend to them. It was truly moving to be there.
Completing these miles has not been easy, and at times it has been a challenge to balance this journey with everyday life. However, the struggles I faced pale in comparison to those endured by the brave men and women of the war. Tragically, only one of Michael’s crew survived that fateful mission, and in just a few hours, Michael’s family – like so many others – would lose a son, a brother, and a grandson. Their lives, as well as countless others, were changed forever.
This is why I chose to raise funds for the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) in Lincoln. If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit, I highly recommend it. It is a deeply moving place, and after your visit, you can enjoy some excellent food at the on-site café. Without institutions like the IBCC, so many stories of bravery would be lost, and the sacrifices made by those in Bomber Command might be forgotten.
Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has offered their encouragement, support, and generous donations. I could not have completed this challenge without you.
My JustGiving page will remain open for a while longer, and any contributions, no matter the size, are greatly appreciated.
As my great uncle used to sign off his letters to my Grampy… Cheerio for now.
