Rotherham veteran to cycle across Sheffield in Easter fundraiser to raise funds for fellow female veterans

Cheryl Jones will be undertaking her Easter fundraiser this Sunday and money raised will go toward the Women’s Royal Army Corporation Association (WRAC).

The organisation claims to be the only charity that specifically supports female veterans who served in the British Army

Cheryl said she loves the camaraderie and the community that the charity provides for both female veterans and currently serving females, which is why she is fundraising.

She added: “It’s in my heart. I’m military through and through.”

Cheryl served in the Postal and Courier service in the Army, describing the role as ‘far from your average post office job’.

She was responsible for delivering top secret and diplomatic materials, passing mail down the hatches of submarines, or travelling out to ships on tugboats to deliver mail.

Cheryl explained: “At first they had said we had to climb up via this rickety thin ladder, it was so dangerous! We couldn’t do it! In the end they lowered a basket for us to pop the mail into - thank God!”

During her time with the Army - in which she served across Germany, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan - she earned the Long Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

After leaving the Army, Cheryl became a self-employed pet sitter and dog walker but it was a business that did not survive as a result of the pandemic.

Despite becoming one of the million members of the Excluded Community, Cheryl sought to remain positive through her voluntary work and connecting with like minded individuals.

The WRAC Association launched a ‘Buddy-Buddy’ scheme in early 2020, which has allowed more than 63 pairs of ‘buddies’ to support each other through the pandemic.

Colonel (Retd) Ali Brown, vice-president of the WRAC Association, said: “In all times of national emergencies, women who have served in the British Army have bonded together to support each other in whatever ways are required.”

The charity has used technology to ensure support has been maintained throughout the pandemic and will “continue for as long as is required”.

For more information visit here.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.