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A huge thank you to everyone who has kindly donated money for our run. We ran all of our 4km and really enjoyed it.
Daddy and I are taking part in my school, St George's Harpenden's Great Curry Run next Saturday to raise money for soldiers who have died in Afghanistan. We have been asked to run specifically in memory of Sgt Lee Houltram, former Royal Marine. We have found out that Sgt Houltram, from Scotland, began a lightening attack on a Taliban compound in August 2009 by fast roping from a helicopter. As Sgt Lee led the elite troops a fierce gunfight broke out and enemy fighters tried to flee to a safe house. While chasing one of the enemy into the booby-trapped building nearby, one of Sgt Houltram’s team stepped on a hidden pressure plate – triggering a series of devastating blasts. As many as five mortar shells buried in the ground around the commandos exploded simultaneously – killing Sgt Houltram. Sgt Houltram’s death, near the town of Gereshk on August 29, was covered up by the Ministry of Defence at the time because of the sensitivity of the mission. Officials simply said “a Royal Marine died following an explosion whilst on a foot patrol”.
Despite the heavy casualties the mission was a success.The bomb-making factory was destroyed, meaning numerous more lives could have been saved thanks to the operation.