AN RAF Brize Norton training instructor organised a gruelling challenge that raised £4,000 in memory of a colleague killed in Afghanistan last year.

Sgt Khym France, of the Physical Education Flight, donated the money to Hounds for Heroes military charity following a 14-week sponsored physical challenge at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

In the final sporting event before British troops withdrew from the country, teams completed over 7,000km in rowing and cycling on gym machines to mark the first anniversary of Lance Corporal James Brynin’s death.

The 22-year-old, of the Intelligence Corps, 14 Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare), died after being shot on duty on October 15 last year. His body was repatriated to RAF Brize Norton.

Our top stories

Sgt France, 33, originally from Cornwall and deployed with 904 Expeditionary Air Wing, said: “Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Jay, due to my regular daily contact with his mum Sharon, he has become a huge part of my time and tour here in Kandahar.

“I was proud yet emotional. It’s not just about keeping fit on ops.It’s also about team cohesion, getting people together, working hard and supporting each other.”

The challenge, called ‘The Bitter End’, was the last event held on Operation Herrick. This was the codename under which British operations in Afghan-istan were conducted since 2002.

Each team comprised five people and more than 700 took part overall, with teams collectively travelling 7,344km – equivalent to the distance from Kandahar to RAF Brize Norton.

A final ‘race-off’ included the top three teams rowing 4km – equivalent to a return length of Kandahar’s runway – and cycling 156km to represent the number of months of operations in Afghanistan.

They also completed 453 press-ups in memory of each British serviceman or woman killed in Afghanistan. Padre Geoff Winters, the unit’s chaplain who used to be based at Brize Norton, led a short memorial service and L Cpl Brynin’s mum Sharon made a special cake. She said: “It's nice to be able to do something positive out of this devastating situation.

“I wish people will remember James as a fantastic young man and a positive professional soldier who gave his all.”

The money was raised through sponsorship and sales of T-shirts made to mark the challenge.

Hounds for Heroes – which provides specially-trained assistance dogs to injured and disabled men and women in the Armed Forces and emergency services – was L Cpl Brynin’s favourite cause. Originally from West Sussex, he had been deployed in Helmand Province when he was killed. He was an intelligence analyst for a light electronic warfare team within the Brigade Reconnaissance Force of 7th Armoured Brigade.


  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.