An armed forces veteran has gone back into battle for a Wigan charity as he attempts to relive a real-life escape from Colditz.
Colin Stein is currently replicating the 600-mile World War Two prison camp escape from Colditz in Germany to Switzerland. The former RAF air traffic controller has taken inspiration from his time stationed in Germany in the 90’s as well as his favourite board game.
He was adamant about doing this challenge after reading the ‘Colditz-Prisoners of the Castle’ novel and playing the family favourite ‘Escape from Colditz’ board game every Christmas.
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The 62-year-old wants to raise funds for Wigan and Leigh charity The Brick and sees this challenge as something that can help prove no matter what you have in life, if the mindset is right you can achieve anything. This same mantra is something he claims The Brick does for their clients in getting those in need back on track.
The Brick provides support for those transitioning through homelessness, families facing poverty and people who may be in debt crisis. Additionally, they offer emergency and supported accommodation, access to affordable furniture and household items, a food community, and routes into employment through training and one to one coaching.
“I have lived in Wigan for 33 years and I want to give back to The Brick and the wider community by taking on this challenge,” he said. “The tenacity and courage of those who attempted to escape from Colditz during World War Two is inspirational, and I want to really push myself in this challenge, by aiming to cycle the 600 miles in a week, totally unsupported and sleeping wild like those who took on the same journey nearly 80 years ago.”
After an audacious escape from the prison castle, Colditz, Frenchman Pierre Mairesse-Lebrun stole a bicycle and cycled nearly 600 miles through enemy territory to reach safety in Ramsen, Switzerland. In total, 19 prisoners eventually travelled this route to facilitate their escape which later became known as the Singen Route.
Although Colin did not have to pull off an elaborate escape attempt from what is now a youth hostel, the bike he is using to pull off the 600-mile escape is 60 years old. Additionally, he will not be in life threatening danger from Nazi soldiers chasing him down like Pierre Mairesse-Lebrun was.
Although not actually being hunted down, like in the popular Channel 4 show, his message on the power of the mind and imagination has remained strong. With inspiration from his reading of history, the hunt from Nazi soldiers and prison guards has been very real in his own imagination.
“Germans everywhere today, my cycling attire from the escape equipment is holding up well albeit it's a bit dated - actually quite vogue/retro,” Colin said from the road back to Switzerland. “It's been about 28 degrees with not a cloud in the sky again - slightly overdid it in the heat really.
“The bike is holding up but I'm carrying far too much weight. In hindsight, I'd have nurtured a 1970's moustache before the breakout as they seem in vogue with middle aged men.
“For some reason I'm seeing a lot of posters for tribute bands for Queen and Rod Stewart. It may help if I can remember a line or two - I want to break free…”
When Colin gets back to The Brick, he will have yet another story to tell whilst he is teaching joinery to the charity’s clients. Although he admits to being “a bit bonkers” for doing what he is doing, Colin wants to help support a charity that he believes does life-changing work in the community within Greater Manchester.
“I have chosen to raise money for The Brick as it is a charity that is very close to my heart,” he said. “I have worked and volunteered here for three and a half years, and I have seen first-hand the positive impact it makes in the local community.
“The Brick is an amazing charity and its life affirming to work with such caring people who do a wonderful job providing the variety of services they do for people in difficult circumstances. I am looking forward to raising as much money as possible to give back to The Brick and to the Wigan and Leigh community.
“The people of Wigan are very generous and it is amazing what people with very little themselves will give for the right cause. The Brick is amazing.
“There are so many people in the community that want to help others. There are lots of people in difficult circumstances but if they stick to it and put the right people around them they can get through anything, I really believe that.”
Keely Dalfen, CEO at The Brick said: “Colin has volunteered and worked for us at The Brick for nearly four years and in this time, he has really made a difference to the lives of many of the people we work with. The Colditz Challenge is unique and truly amazing, and we are delighted that Colin is raising money for The Brick this way.
“We all wish him the best of luck and we are very proud of Colin for taking on something that is so challenging, to give back to our community.”
Colin has already raised more than £1,000, if you would like to support Colin on this amazing challenge, you can donate to the Just Giving page here: Colin's Colditz Challenge
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