Why We TAB: Veterans, Mental Health, and Community
- Pheniks Division
- Mar 26
- 2 min read
By Hughie Benson.
🔗 Support our mission – sponsor our 10k TAB challenge: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/pitc?utm_term=dnnjdWr4Z
It’s a Monday night, and I’m just waiting to step off with our TABbing group – a new concept that’s about four weeks in now. It’s an offshoot from the work we’ve been doing through the boxing sessions, but this one’s different. It’s about bringing veterans from across the Bolton area together, getting the kit on, and covering some hard miles with purpose.
This is all building up to a charity event on Sunday 13th April – a 10k run, but with a difference. I’ve pulled together a team of five of us from the boxing at Elite Community Hub and we’ll be doing it TAB-style, wearing Bergens with 33–40lbs of weight packed inside. We’re pushing ourselves physically to raise awareness – and crucially, to raise funds.
Why? Because over the last few years, I’ve seen first-hand how many veterans are struggling. Not always financially, and not always from their time in service – but often mentally, emotionally, and socially. And it’s not just the veterans. It’s the people around them too – mums, dads, partners, siblings, children. The families who stood by them before, during, and after their service. The ones still standing by them now, through the difficult times.
That’s why this fundraiser matters. We’re aiming to raise £3,000 to run veteran-focused mental health awareness sessions, not just for those who served, but for their families too. These sessions will help people recognise the signs of poor mental health, connect with others, and understand how to support themselves and each other.
Some veterans don’t have strong social networks outside of work. Meeting like-minded people, making friends, knowing who to turn to – that’s a struggle for many. That’s why we’re out here, every Monday night, kit on, getting the miles in. Because it’s not just about fitness. It’s about connection, community, and purpose.
Pheniks In The Community is just four months old, but we’re already cracking on and working closely with organisations like the Bolton Guild of Help and Elite Community Hub. And now, through this TAB challenge and the support we’re raising, we’re able to go even further. We’ll keep going – building something that lasts, and bringing more veterans and families into the fold. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you on the next stretch.
🔗 Donate now and help us reach our goal:
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