- Jaguar Land Rover employee and former soldier Mike Burton walks 11km for 11 days wearing 11kg weight vest (symbolising 11/11/11) to honour Armistice Day
- Vest weighs the same as full combat armour, replicating the burden carried by soldiers
- Mike is fundraising for two armed forces charities because of the impact coronavirus has had on incomes
- Mission Motorsport charity helped Mike into an engineering career at Jaguar Land Rover
Wednesday 11 November 2020, Halewood, UK – Jaguar Land Rover employee and former solider Mike Burton is walking 11km a day for 11 days wearing an 11kg weighted vest to raise money for two Armed Forces charities.
Mike, who served in the Royal Lancers regiment for 15 years before joining Jaguar Land Rover, took on the challenge after discovering so many ex-services’ charities were struggling for funds because of the coronavirus pandemic.
His challenge began on 1 November 2020 and ends on 11 November 2020 – Armistice Day. Over the 11 days he will be joined by colleagues from Jaguar Land Rover in Halewood, who will cycle, run or walk distances in multiples of 11. But only Mike will wear the 11kg weighted vest – the equivalent of a combat armour suit.
Mike is fundraising for Mission Motorsport, which helps the recovery and rehabilitation of veterans like him by providing opportunities through motorsport and the automotive industry. The Royal British Legion will also benefit.
Mike joined Jaguar Land Rover eight years ago when he was discharged from the services. Mission Motorsport supported his transition into civilian life and introduced him to a career in engineering through the Jaguar Land Rover supported employment scheme.
Many of these charities rely almost entirely on public interaction at events, which have all been cancelled due to the pandemic.
I experienced first-hand just how important these services are when I was injured with the army and medically discharged – they were a lifeline to me.
Mission Motorsport was an anchor during my transition back into civilian life and allowed me to get a job with a leading British automotive manufacturer which ultimately helped me become the man I am today.
These charities offer veterans the chance of a positive and bright future, which is why I still volunteer as much as I can to help others going through what I did.
Mike Burton
Jointing Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover’s Halewood plant
There is a very special community spirit at Halewood. I’ve never seen anything quite like it during my career in the automotive industry.
I’m incredibly proud of Mike and the team for what they are trying to achieve with their challenge, and of all our employees who have gone that extra mile to help support charities and organisations in our community who are struggling in these unprecedented times.
Trevor Leeks
Plant Director at Jaguar Land Rover Halewood
As Mike was at work during most of the challenge, he wore the 11kg weighted vest during his shifts to walk the bulk of his 11km daily target.
He displayed a large QR code on his work shirt so colleagues could scan it from a safe two metre-distance and go to his Just Giving page.