The MK Dons Sport and Education Trust will be joining the Rotary Club of Leighton Linslade to recognise the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day and the end of WW2.
Dean Bowditch, along with Alexander Gowan and Dean Dixon, will be taking part in the event, which will take the form of a marathon relay and will see participants visit most areas of Leighton Linslade and Heath & Reach, all while carrying a scroll containing the names of those from the area who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Simon Marshall, President of Leighton Linslade Rotary Club, said: “With so many of our community events in 2020 being cancelled due to Covid 19, and having lost the VE Day celebrations, Rotary had been looking to do something that would allow our community to recognise the huge sacrifice of the WW2 generation.
“We are therefore delighted that, after significant consultation and using our experiences with Santa, we have been able to work with partners to deliver a “Marathon for Peace”.
“What better way to honour those who endured the marathon of WW2 than to run and walk the traditional 26.2 miles and maybe a bit more and then to read their names at the playing of Sunset.
“So many local lives will have been touched when the 5th Battalion Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment were taken prisoner at Singapore in 1942 that VJ Day has a special resonance in our area.”
Simon continued: “However, I am sure that generation would also have wanted us to look forward peacefully and with hope and all the charities participating will as the Covid restrictions lift be out there working in Leighton Linslade as they have before, making our community an even better place."
The relay will commence after the playing of the Last Post at 11am and finish at the War Memorial at 8pm, with their names being read and the playing of Sunset at 20:08
Each relay leg will be 2,194 yards acknowledging the 2,194 days that WW2 lasted, with participants visiting a number of notable local sites, such as the site of RAF Stanbridge and Oxenden House the HQ of WW2 Radar operations.
Whilst members of the public are urged not to congregate in large groups and to observe social distancing, we are encouraging people to come to their door or garden to give the participants a wave as they go past.
Opportunities to donate to Rotary and its local partner charities will be available via virginmoneygiving.com and the support vehicle accompanying the runners. It is hoped key points including the town centre will have a presence all day to raise awareness and help facilitate donations as well.
Given the current circumstances, arrangements will be subject to change, possibly at the last minute.
