Kier Kelly

[p]What we are doing :-[/p][p]The 2nd Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Cpls Mess aswell as 5 former and current Kohima Cpl's are attempting to cycle from Keogh Barracks to Kohima Nagaland (India) on WATT bikes in just 24 HOURS. The distance we are attempting to cover is 6097 miles covered by the team in the 24 HOURS.[/p][p]The purpose of the Charity we support :-[/p][p]The purpose of the trust is to provide educational assistance to the young people of Nagaland, India in order to repay the debt of honour owed for their unstinting help given to the 2nd Division and other British Army units during the battles of 1944.[/p][p] Kohima, a town set high among jungle-covered hills in Nagaland in North East India near the border with Myanmar (Burma), was the site of an epic battle in the war against Japan. In April 1944 the town was besieged by a Japanese division spearheading what they hoped would be the invasion of India. The town of Kohima was completely destroyed, but this did not prevent the local inhabitants from supporting the British and Indian troops as guides, porters and combatants. For sixty years after the battle the veterans met annually in York to remember their fallen comrades who lie buried in the war cemetery on the Kohima Ridge, the scene of the most bitter fighting. [/p][p] Veterans planned their final reunion in 2004, they resolved to found the Kohima Educational Trust (KET) as a debt of honour to the Naga people. The trust is seen by its founders both as a means of sustaining the memory of the courage and sacrifice of those who fought and died in the battle, and of honouring the Nagas who were their allies in the war through assisting the education of succeeding generations of Naga children. [/p][p]Why is this important :-[/p][p]This is something we as a mess feel indebted for as one of our regimental day is to celebrate the Battle off Kohima and the courageous leadership John Harman showed during the battle to win his V.C. We believe that this needs to be carried on by organising random events to show our gratitude from our battalions forbearers The Royal West Kents who fought in Kohima and maintain the commitments the veterans and families do such a fantastic job for.[/p][p]What we plan to achieve :-[/p][p]This year was the 75th Anniversary for the battle of Kohima so we want to honour the veterans and show that we as forbearers off the Royal West Kents will continue in raising money for the Kohima Education Trust. [/p][p]Our goal :-[/p][p] Is to pay for 12 children with a 5 year scholarship in the Nagaland region to benefit there futures. [/p]