Praise for 'inspiring' Hebburn army cadets who raised hundreds for frontline workers running 20 miles carrying 20kg

South Tyneside teenagers, Aaron Robertson-McDowell, 16 and Peter Hamilton, 17, took on an epic mission during the coronavirus crisis to help those on the frontline.

On Friday, May 15, the pair, who recently left St Joseph’s Academy in Hebburn, ran 20 miles while each carrying a backpack weighing 20kg.

Known as ‘Tabbing’ (Tactical Advance to Battle) in the military – a term for walking at a fast pace with a weighted rucksack – the mission took them through Jarrow, Pelaw and Hebburn where they finished on the riverside, finishing the race in an impressive four hours and 10 minutes.

They were accompanied by former Rifles veteran and local fitness Instructor L/Cpl Gary Richards from Jarrow, who made sure they completed the challenge safely.

Aaron and Peter raised more than £1,000 in total for local food bank Hebburn Helps and South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

The boys, who are due to attend Army College in Harrogate in September, handed over their donation to the trust on Wednesday, June 10, and were praised for their ‘amazing’ efforts.

Philip Bithell, charitable fundraiser for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “We are very grateful for all of the fantastic support we have received from the public over the last few months and of course to Aaron and Peter for their amazing fundraising efforts. Their donation will be used to support our dedicated teams across the Trust who have worked above and beyond during these difficult times.”

Hebburn Helps, which has delivered hundreds of food parcels to vulnerable people throughout the pandemic, has also received a donation from the boys.

Co-founder Angie Comerford said: “I’ve known Aaron for a while now and he is a little inspiration. They are absolutely fantastic for doing what they did and we are so grateful to these amazing young men.”

Aaron and Peter thanked the community for helping them double their initial target of £500, saying the support they have had has been “incredible”.

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