“An epic challenge and for a great cause. I so admire this team’s determination to acheieve something truly extra-ordinary.”

Bear Grylls

“This is an amazing effort for a wonderful cause and I wish them the very best of luck.”

“I am delighted to give my warmest support to this amazing project to carriage drive pairs of horses from one end of the country to the other non-stop for an estimated 10 days. This truly remarkable feat chimes with the determination, imagination and enthusiasm of our young soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who have carried out difficult and dangerous operations on behalf of our Nation for many years. Sadly some suffer life–changing injuries but the great generosity of the British public through charities like Help for Heroes, BLESMA, Combat Stress and The Army Benevolent Fund – The Soldiers’ Charity mean that much help is available to build new lives. The Horses Help Heroes project is another wonderful example of how we can support our brave troops. I wish everyone involved all the best, and on behalf of all who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces – thank you.”

General Sir Richard Dannatt, GCB, CBE, MC

“The trust, faithfulness and pleasure that the horse gives to so many, can inspire everyone to support the heroes fighting our cause in Afghanistan and in other war torn areas around the world.”

“Great challenge! Good luck going over the Shap, they will have to be fit! Look forward to seeing you complete!”

“Twenty horses being transported from Lands End to John O’Groats is a challenge in itself! It paints a very nostalgic picture, I can’t wait to read the book! Good luck”

“What a fantastic unique challenge based on the relationship and trust between horse and human! It really grips the heart with these war wounded servicemen willing to train and work hard to help raise funds for others who will inevitably suffer similar fates. Best of luck.”

“I was delighted when Jacks asked me to give a riding lesson, on the first of her initial training courses for the wounded servicemen taking part in this amazing challenge! We had a great day, hugely inspiring. Keep it up lads!”

“I greatly admire this Horses help Heroes initiative and hope you get all the support you deserve. Bon Voyage!”

“What an amazing bunch of people – their pride and determination is humbling – puts everything into perspective. Best wishes to the team and those fantastic horses. I wonder if there is a way of getting my Huskies involved?”

“I fully hope the racing community get behind Horses Help Heroes as they have set themselves a truly unique challenge. This challenge demonstrates that the love affair that we British have for our horses is as strong as ever, and this should be celebrated. The combination of the man and the horse, one that is centuriesold, is in this instance for a very worthy cause indeed. Our country’s service personnel do so much for us all and it would be great if those who enjoy racing in all its guises support this carriage drive the length of the country.”

“As challenges go this is amongst the very best and the combination and relationship between the drivers and the pairs of horses taking part will be the key. In Horses Help Heroes you have a great team and a wonderful ambition that the equestrian world will all I am sure get behind. Well done – supporting our injured service personnel in this way is very worthy indeed.”

“On behalf of The Jockey Club I’d like to wish you all the very best of luck on this tremendous challenge. Your energy, attitude and team spirit in overcoming adversity and completing the challenge is truly inspirational.”

“The challenge that Horses Help Heroes have set themselves is an immense one, and one that has the greatest and most honourable of intentions. The sheer challenge in the training of their wonderful horses to drive the full length of the country is a credit to all those involved. I wish them the best of luck and I look forward to seeing them over the finishing line.”

“All those people up and down the country who enjoy any form of equestrian sport will want to support this wonderful charity. I urge all of you to help in any way you can – it is an amazing challenge that will test both the horses and the drivers. Much like jockeying, it will require great levels of skill, determination and guts.”

“A fantastic challenge and a real marathon trip. Horses have been integral in helping wounded servicemen throughout the centuries and this challenge underlines the huge bond that will be needed between the horses and their drivers. Horses Help Heroes is a great cause and needs all our support. Good luck!!!!”

“The Horses Help Heroes challenge is a wonderful challenge combining the agility of the horse and human determination, a combination that is worthy of support. As Colonel of Life Guards I know only too well the level of skill and partnership that will be needed between horse and driver. I wish Horses Help Heroes the very best of luck, in doing this for such an honourable cause.”

“I am Flight Sergeant Kevin Swift who has served for 24 years with the RAF and who had the privilege (4 years ago) to train as a paramedic with Great Western Ambulance Service and who was mentored for some of this training by Jacks El-Tawil whilst spending much of this time at Chippenham Ambulance Station. During my time with the RAF as a medic, I have served in; the Gulf conflict of 1991, Falkland Islands (twice), The Former Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Afghanistan (twice).

In 2009 I was deployed to Afghanistan with the RAF Regiment on vehicle and foot patrols and last year was again deployed to Afghanistan but this time as part of the MERT undergoing missions in response to situations at the front line in which life threatening injuries were sustained by our troops on the front line. A MERT is a specialist team comprising of an anaesthetist or an accident and emergency (A&E) doctor, an A&E nurse, and two paramedics. The Chinook helicopter with the MERT and associated personnel brings the ‘Emergency Department’ to the front line.

It is hugely satisfying to know that we can support the soldiers, sailors and airmen on the ground by evacuating and providing extensive treatment to those who have sustained horrific injuries, and who have given so much themselves.

It is also hugely satisfying that there is so much support for the British troops by the general public and it is individuals such as Jacks and the many others involved in this fantastic venture (Horses help Heroes) that give us in the military that extra something that makes us do what we do – I think I speak for the majority who are serving in HM Services, that we are not Heroes.”

“A wonderful initiative for such a worthy charity which deserves full support from all of us who enjoy the hundreds of ways horses benefit our lives across the country. Best of luck with your immense challenge.”

“At only 7 years old Violet is an avid supporter of Horses Help Heroes. After meeting the team at the races she wanted to raise money for us; so persuaded her parents to let us bring the horses and exhibition trailer to her family’s Hatton Country World for three days. This was a huge success and we look forward to seeing Violet on the challenge.”

“Slades of Devizes Garage have very kindly donated a flat–bed trailer to be used to tow the ambulance to fundraising events and at either end of the challenge.”

Help for Heroes is a registered charity, number 1120920