Walking Home For Christmas, an annual nationwide walking challenge to fundraise for veterans, is happening on 9-20 December in London, Manchester and Newcastle.
Funds raised from this event would support the work of Walking With The Wounded (WWTW), a military charity helping veterans and their families who might be mentally, socially, or physically wounded.
WWTW helps with mental health, employment, volunteering and care coordination through collaborating with the NHS and 200 other organisations.
Although these group regional walks were new this year, there had already been over 1,100 walkers with almost £66,000 raised, which was about one quarter of the charity’s £250,000 target.
Each walk had two 10km legs, and participants had the option to join one or both, or walk as far as they felt able to.
Walkers in London started at 11am yesterday at the Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial near Westminster, and then they headed west along the Thames Path (North Side) to Battersea Park and the Thames Path (South Side) before hitting the midway point at Wandsworth Bridge.
They began the second leg at 2pm, again along the Thames Path (North Side) to Central London, including Royal Hospital Chelsea, Buckingham Palace and Horseguards Parade, before finishing at the iconic Cenotaph.
Five-year-old twins, Mya and Ava Hughes, from West Malling in Kent, were the youngest supporters and had so far raised more than £700, almost reaching the target they set for themselves of £750.
Their aunt Sharon Hughes, working for WWTW, said: “They were excited to be taking part and I’m extremely proud of what they’re doing.
“We have family members who served in the military so we really understand the need for the support provided by a charity like Walking With the Wounded.”
She added the twins’ father took part in a boxing match this summer which raised £2000 for WWTW and the twins said they would like to do some fundraising themselves.
There were approximately five million veterans living in the UK, and while most of the 15,000+ leaving the forces each year had a successful transition to civilian life, a small but significant minority did not.
Shaun Franklin, North Hants, who served for seven years in the Grenadier Guards in the British Army, joined the walkers as well.
He said: “It’s such a great opportunity to get outside, get moving, and raise money for a wonderful charity who are doing amazing things to help people who have served.
“They’ve given so much, and we’re so grateful that the public are supporting them.”
