The William Aldridge Foundation

DecAid is a National Appeal set up by a group of inspired and dedicated young volunteers, all under the age of 25. Their aim is to raise funds in support of SSAFA, BLESMA and Talking2Minds (registered Forces' Charities) in honour of the 10th Anniversary of our Armed Services' involvement in Afghanistan and to raise awareness among their peers of the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces in Afghanistan during the last 10 years.

DecAid have received some very impressive patronage and support from HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and General Sir Nick Parker who is currently Commander-in-Chief of Land Forces to name just two!

The Appeal is holding a total of six large National Events to raise the majority of their monetary target. The first of these is the main event, the MUNRO MISSION which begins on the 1st of August 2011 and concludes on the 18th September 2011. This event involves a DecAid team climbing all 283 Scottish Mountains over 3000ft, in a continuous journey over 49 days using no motorised transport. It's the equivalent of 81 miles of vertical ascent, covering over 1600 miles in total. It is hoped each Munro Mountain will be dedicated to individual personnel who have lost their lives in Afghanistan.

The Appeal will culminate with the LIGHT FOR LIFE CEREMONY at Salisbury Cathedral on Sunday 2nd October. During the ceremony a candle will be lit for each of the service personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Afghanistan conflict.

To find out more information please visit the DecAid website: www.DecAid.co.uk



The Munro Mountain that will be dedicated to William and his four comrades (who perished in the same incident) will be BINNEAN BEAG (Binnein Beag), near Kinlochleven. This is one of the easternmost of the Mamores range. Its peak consists of boulders and scree with steep ascents. The summit of Binnean Beag is 943 metres, making it the second lowest of the Mamores Munros. This however, belies the fact that its remote position makes it perhaps the hardest of the range to reach.



You can keep up to date with the DecAid Team's progress by following their Blog: decaidmunromission.blogspot.com/