Four women from Brightlingsea in Essex are preparing to take part in a 100km walk over 24 hours to raise money for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
Nicola Pryer, 38, works for the charity and will tackle the challenge this July in a team with her friends Tessa Bates, 40, Tasha Hales, 43, and Marsha Robinson, 39. The group have been training over the past three months for the 100km walk from London to Brighton.
Read more“My PTSD is a dark, dark demon and I have fought with him many times. I know him well.” – Frankie
Wednesday 27th June was National PTSD Awareness Day in the USA, so Frankie Perez took the opportunity to speak out about mental health. He urged those listening to educate themselves and to seek the support they need if they are suffering.
Frankie is currently walking 1000 miles across the United States as part of the Walk Of America expedition team. He and his follow teammates have all suffered with their mental health as a result of their service.
Kev Carr is ex- British Army. He was injured in 2004 and has been a resident of The Beacon – a homeless veteran’s residence in Catterick – since August 2017. He is currently one of 6 veterans walking 1000 miles across the United States this summer as part of the Walk Of America expedition team, raising vital awareness and funds for the invisible wounds of war.
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When I joined the Army at 17, the world was my oyster. I was ready to serve my country and be proud of the fact that I was a soldier serving alongside my allies.
Read moreLieutenant Henry Eaton, of 17 Port & Maritime Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, plans to build on his success from last year.
What was it like to win the Officers’ Award last year?
It felt great to win the Officers’ Award, but it was still second place so of course I would be keen to try and win the overall Men’s Singles Race this year. I have been training hard to improve my timings. However, the competition will be even tougher, with the Army team developing into some of the best amateur athletes in the country and which should lead to an exciting championship.
Commander Jane Allen set off from HMS Victory on 21 October last year, to walk anticlockwise round the coast of mainland UK to raise money for two naval charities, the WRNS BT and RNRMC charities. Here she provides an update on her most recent travels in Scotland where she has now clocked over 2,000 miles.
Having walked across the Scottish border at the end of April, it has taken me a further 664 miles to reach John o’ Groats, where the ‘bootometer’ clicked 2,031 miles. The magical 2,000 miles had been achieved earlier in the week on the approaches to Wick. Meanwhile, the Victory Van has already covered over double the mileage (4,696) in support.
Read moreA group of cyclists are gearing up for yet another fundraising odyssey to help raises thousands of pounds for leading Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland. The Flying Fifers will set off on Saturday (June 30th) from Leven and will cycle more than 120 miles a day for six days until they arrive in the French commune of Compiègne where the 1918 Armistice was signed. Just a few miles into their route will see the group taking part in the Armed Forces Day parade along Edinburgh’s George Street.
Read moreThe reason I’m taking part in the Walk Of America is because in 2006 I was wounded in combat. I lost my right eye and my shoulder. And they fixed me up when I left the hospital and I went back to work. But it wasn’t until four years later that I was diagnosed with a brain injury, PTSD and depression. For all that time I just had no idea why I couldn’t remember anything. I was losing my mind. I would just stay in my house and I wouldn’t want to leave because that was my only ‘safe place’.
Once I was diagnosed, at least I had the answers, but even then I didn’t get help because I didn’t really know where to go.
Read moreIn a call to arms with fellow Veterans charities we ask if you could promulgate the following through your website, social media and any other means of communication that will reach both Veterans and potential volunteers
Haig Housing has launched The Long Walk Home (TLWH), its fundraising pilgrimage to mark 100 years since the ending of World War One. The charity will take 100 Veterans walkers from across the UK to Ypres, Belgium where they will then walk the 100 miles from the Menem Gate to the Cenotaph in Whitehall, timing this to coincide with the National Service of Remembrance on Sunday 11th November.
Read moreA blind veteran from Guildford is currently training to take part in a 100km walk over 24 hours to raise money for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
Jeff Stockwell, 62 and from Broomfield, will take part in the walk from London to Brighton this July alongside his son Tony, 40, and grandson Aron, 21.
He says: “This is actually my third attempt at completing the 100K, so fingers crossed it’s third time lucky. I’ve been training hard but if worst comes to worst my grandson says he’ll push me to the finish line in a wheelbarrow.”
Read moreScotland star helping veterans bounce back
Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby star Hamish Watson hopped to it yesterday to help launch a brand new family fundraiser in aid of leading Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland.
The Big Poppy Bounce will see supporters of all ages descend upon BT Murrayfield to climb aboard space hoppers and race 100 metres – for 100 years – to help our veterans bounce back into civilian life in the process.
The Big Poppy Bounce will take place over the back pitches at the iconic home of Scottish Rugby on Sunday, 19th August, and it is hoped the fun day out will raise in excess of £10,000 to support Poppyscotland’s life-changing work for the Armed Forces community living in Scotland.
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