A PDB Special Announcement: Mike Baker’s Big Adventure

12.745 - 29.593 Mike Baker

Hey, Mike Baker here with a special President's Daily Brief update. I want to let you know that for the next handful of weeks, until 8 February, I'll be out in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and Jordan on an epic trek designed to raise awareness for the UK Special Forces Benevolent Fund.

30.313 - 50.721 Mike Baker

Now, all of us here at the BDB will, of course, continue working every day to identify and deliver to you, the BDB community, the top stories, crises, events, and developments taking place around the world that we believe need to be on your radar. But, over the next four weeks, there will be numerous times when I'll be off comms.

51.281 - 74.356 Mike Baker

The deserts out there are vast, and communications can sometimes be sketchy or non-existent. So, while I'm away, I'm very pleased to announce that the esteemed Mike Slater has graciously agreed to fill in for me. Now, I suspect you already know Mike from his podcasts and radio show and his work on The First TV. He'll make sure that you stay informed until I get back.

74.997 - 97.862 Mike Baker

He knows a lot of big words, doesn't have any gray hair, and he's a spiffy dresser. But despite those things, I know that you'll be in very good hands. Now, if I could, let me tell you just a bit about why I'm disappearing into the desert. The idea for the trek was hatched, as many great ideas are, over several pints by colleagues of mine from the UK's Special Forces Club.

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The thought was, how can we raise awareness for the UK's Special Forces Benevolent Fund and, hopefully, raise funds for the veterans in need, for their families, and for families of deceased veterans? Think of the Wounded Warriors Project in the US or any number of other advocacy and charity groups that work to assist the veteran communities when they're in need.

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That's the goal, that's the work of the UK Special Forces Benevolent Fund. So, it had to be something notable, something epic, historic even. And thus, the Ride to Aqaba was born. It's an expedition in honor of Sharif Nasir, Naseeb al-Bakri, Aouda al-Butai, T.E.

138.936 - 158.507 Mike Baker

Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, and the 41 brave souls who, in 1917, rode almost 700 miles across the uncrossable deserts from Al-Waj in Saudi Arabia to Aqaba in Jordan. It was a stunning accomplishment and hasn't been recreated. until now.

159.167 - 183.971 Mike Baker

Starting on 14 January, five of us from the UK's Special Forces Club will recreate the epic route of Nasir, Bekri, Abu Tayy and Lawrence, retracing their steps and riding camels the entire way. And yes, I did just say riding camels the entire way. The mission is clear, raise awareness and funds through donations to the Special Forces Club Benevolent Fund.