The Chara Challenge was founded in 2009 after 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines returned from their third tour of duty in Afghanistan. During that tour 37 of our comrades were killed in action and 167 were seriously wounded fighting the Taliban. 

The Chara Challenge is a demanding cross-country race across Dartmoor carrying 32 pounds of weight. Its purpose is to raise money for those charities that have a proven record of providing benevolence services for our wounded comrades and the dependants of the fallen. 

The race is a test of endurance and character. It is also fun, immensely rewarding and worthy - the 2009 event raised over £100,000 for our supported charities. The Chara Challenge 2010 will be run on Sunday 8 August.

Chara Challenge is just one part of a series of events run by the The Chara Foundation which is a small, registered, not-for-profit company established in 2010. Its purpose is to raise money and provide services for charities that provide long-term support to our servicemen and women, their families/dependents and the communities they live in. The Chara Foundation strives to achieve this by organising events and activities that raise money from event entry fees, sponsorship and charitable giving. The funds raised are disbursed through established charities like SSAFA, BLESMA, Combat Stress, Veterans Aid and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.