Lottie Davies has done something remarkable. For her first ever backyard ultra marathon, after just eight weeks of training, she set out to run at least 60km for Forward Assist. She went further: 42 miles (more than 67km), lap after lap, in her own back yard.

GoodHub has now confirmed that her fundraiser closed at an incredible £1,900.09, 190% of her £1,000 target. That is £1,584.67 from 62 supporters, plus £315.42 in Gift Aid.

Grit, determination and a lot of laps

An ultra marathon is a huge challenge at the best of times. Doing it in your own back yard, going round and round the same loop, takes a very special kind of grit. The whole team has been talking about it, and we are in awe of what Lottie achieved.

Her supporters felt the same. "What a legend!" wrote one. "Fair play mate. Well done. Great cause," said another.

When Lottie launched her challenge, she wrote that every kilometre was "in support of veterans who have faced their own challenges," and she backed our strengths based approach: building on what each veteran already has, not just what they have been through.

A first home of his own

Lottie's fundraising is already changing a life. We used some of the money to help a veteran move into his first proper flat of his own and buy the essentials for his new home.

He was very grateful. Having somewhere settled has made him even more keen to make a go of things, and it has given us a strong starting point to help him move forward and work on the issues that have been holding him back.

Behind every mile Lottie ran is a veteran who now has her in their corner.

Why every donation matters

For a small charity like Forward Assist, donations are not an extra. They are what keeps our doors open and our activities running. Unlike most grants, which are tied to one project, donations give us the freedom to act quickly when a veteran needs us and to say yes to the things that make the biggest difference.

Your donations help us provide:

Day to day help and support: practical advice, guidance and one to one support from our Veterans Hub, from finding a settled home to getting back on your feet in civilian life.
Walking groups: getting outdoors, moving and talking, side by side with people who understand.
Foraging walks: learning about the land, slowing down and finding a bit of calm in nature.
Fly fishing coaching: patience, focus and time on the water, which many of our veterans find hugely restorative.
Breakfast clubs and group work: a brew, a bacon butty and a place to belong.
Special days out: like our trips with Mission Motorsport, which bring adrenaline, laughter and a real sense of camaraderie.

Every one of these activities builds what matters most: purpose, connection and the confidence to move forward.

Coming up: Mission Motorsport, this Wednesday

We are taking a group of veterans to Mission Motorsport's Banter, Brews & Cars meet up at Three Sisters Circuit on Wednesday 14 October, from 9am to 3pm.

It is a relaxed coffee morning with a bit of extra excitement: unlimited passenger laps around the circuit with Mission Motorsport's volunteer drivers. It is free for the Armed Forces community, so veterans, serving personnel and family members are all welcome.

It is a great chance to get out, meet like minded people, catch up with familiar faces and make new friends. As Mission Motorsport say, "It's not just about the cars; it's about the people, the conversations and the community we build along the way."

Bring a friend, grab a brew and come along. Sign up for Banter, Brews & Cars here.

Thank you, Lottie, and thank you to everyone who sponsored her.