Meet the Raid 17 Team: Jez Scarratt

Jez joined the Royal Marines in 1975 and served in Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Belize.

In 1982 he lost his leg in a road traffic accident and was medically discharged in 1990.

Jez admits that losing his leg as a 22 year old Royal Marine could have been a life-ending moment but it was not his time to go:

"To be honest I got over losing my leg and adjusted to life on a prosthetic quite quickly, but the guilt I have carried for years due to the Falklands conflict has impacted on me far more than limb loss.

The guilt from being unable to go to war and losing mates was pretty horrendous..."

Jez believes his Royal Marines training gave him the mental strength to overcome the hardships of adjusting to life and dealing with every obstacle that came his way:

"I would almost go as far to say that my life started there and then.."

Motivation is a natural part of his life and Jez thoroughly enjoys going out and beasting himself on the bike. He has competed since 1994 in both road and off road endurance racing, and has completed many 24 hour solo mountain bikes races.

"Limb loss has had a huge positive impact in the way that I have been able to inspire other riders to take on some of the massive cycling challenges I've previously done as a younger man."

Taking part in a team challenge like Raid 17 is unusual for Jez: "when I attempt something as gruelling as this it's usually as a solo rider. Being part of a team of injured veterans could not be bettered.

We've all had personal challenges in our life, some more obvious than others.. "

He is thoroughly looking forward to the event and riding together as a team:

"It will be tough and some will undoubtedly struggle but my experience means I will be able to help push the team through the difficult moments and up those huge hills!"

Jez is already planning his future adventures and after Raid 17 he will continue, as always, to keep up his endurance cycling.

His advice to anyone thinking about a taking on a new challenge is: "to grab it by the horns and go for it..!! Life is not a rehearsal, so live each day to the full."

Jez is undertaking this challenge to raise funds for The Royal Marines Charity who provide the best possible through life charitable support for Royal Marines, their families, veterans and cadets.

To make a donation please visit his JustGiving page > https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jeremy-scarratt1

Thank you!