A war veteran took part in a treadmill challenge to raise money for wounded soldiers. Norman Harris, 94, pounded the treadmill at Total Fitness in Handforth in aid of charity Help for Heroes.
But Norman is a hero himself, having served in the army during the Second World War. He was stationed with the Royal Artillery around east Manchester at the start of the war in the 71st East Lancashire regiment.
In 1942 the regiment split and Norman was sent to Chichester. He took part in officer training in Oswestry and was posted to the 38th City of London regiment before being transferred to Suffolk.
Norman joined the infantry and it was during time in the hills north of Florence in Italy in 1944, when he experienced a terrible winter of rain and snow, that he was inspired to write a poem - The Winter of 44.
This poem has been included in an anthology in aid of Help for Heroes by Jeannette Slavinski, a former teacher at Alderley Edge School for Girls.
Jeannette is collecting contributions for her second anthology and Total Fitness hosted an all-day treadmill challenge as part of the campaign, with Norman joining in.
The veteran backs Help for Heroes, which helps wounded soldiers and their families, and money in memory of his wife Joan, who died last year aged 90, was donated to the charity.
Norman, who lives in Bramhall and has three daughters, said: “Those of us who came back from war were affected by it and I’m concerned about these fellas coming back now without legs.”
Jeannette said: “He showed his mettle on the treadmill and is one of our remaining treasured gems.”
Jeannette is accepting poems for her anthology. Visit www.bic-testarea.co.uk to find out more.
