Footsore, exhausted but ecstatic: 700km challenge finishes in Newcastle
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Celebrations as Long Way Home reaches the culmination of its 18-day challenge, walking 700km from central London to central Newcastle, pulling the pulk the whole way. The pulk is deeply embedded in our history and heritage and accompanied a group of wounded veterans, joined by Prince Harry, in 2011 as they undertook the first expedition of its kind to the North Pole.
Long Way Home leader and Head of Events and Partnerships at WWTW, James Davis said: “That expedition proved that the sky was the limit for those wounded in the service of their country and showed the world what veterans can do. If you tell a veteran they can’t do something they will promptly go out and do it! From that expedition Walking With The Wounded was born and a key...
Halewood Battalion Cadets take on 60km Lake District challenge for veterans
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Cadets from the Halewood Battalion laced up their boots and headed for the Lake District as they completed a demanding 60km walk in support of Walking Home For Christmas.
Now in their third consecutive year of taking part, the group of eight cadets travelled to the fells with a clear goal: to push themselves beyond their comfort zones whilst raising vital funds for veterans and their families during the winter months.
The challenge was not without its obstacles. Battling poor weather conditions on the summit of the Old Man of Coniston on the first day, the cadets showed determination and teamwork as they pressed on.
One of the group, Thomas Harper, reflected on why the challenge means so much to them: “Many of us have family members who...
RAF veteran completes 48km pulk pull in support of fellow veterans
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RAF veteran Derek Heron has completed an impressive 48km walk in support of Walking Home For Christmas, taking on the challenge to raise funds and awareness for fellow veterans.
Having served for 22 years in the RAF, Derek joined the Walking With The Wounded team on 18 December for our Long Way Home challenge, where he pulled our historic pulk. The demanding challenge tested both physical endurance and mental resilience – but Derek was more than ready to rise to it.
Derek was inspired to get involved after taking part in WWTW’s Cumbrian Challenge earlier this summer. Motivated by our mission and the stories of veterans we support, he was keen to step up once again and give back.
Reflecting on the challenge, Derek said: “After a 22-year...
Oldest tank regiment in the world marches 108km in 24 hours for veterans
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Members of the Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) proved that grit, determination and teamwork are as strong as ever as they completed a gruelling 24-hour walk in support of our Walking Home For Christmas campaign.
Setting off on 9 December from their Regimental Headquarters in Tidworth, the soldiers pushed themselves to the limit, covering an incredibly 108km on foot. Their destination was Bovington – the regiment’s home and proudly known as its “spiritual home” – but the journey was anything but easy.
Battling relentless rain, strong winds and physical exhaustion, the team refused to let the harsh conditions slow them down. Morale stayed high throughout the night as they dug deep, supported one another and kept their purpose firmly in sight:...
Veterans unite once again in Portsmouth to support those still serving
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For the second consecutive year, a group of Royal Navy veterans came together to quite literally walk home for Christmas. United by shared service, enduring friendship and a common purpose: to raise vital funds for those who continue to struggle long after their service has ended.
Sixteen former sailors (and another joining under the stars in Australia) stepped off from the Royal Maritime Club and began a 12-mile journey that would take them past the Dockyard, HMS Nelson, through Tipner and Hilsea, returning via Casemates, along the Coast Road and on to the People’s Monument.
But, what unfolded was far more than a walk. It was a shared act of remembrance, reconnection and support. What makes this group remarkable is not only their...
Leading by example: Walking Home For Christmas
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Our own Director for Veteran Affairs, Tommy Watson, walked from North Shields to Newcastle on 15th December as part of our annual Walking Home For Christmas campaign.
Tommy exceeded his 2,000 target for this year’s walk, and adds it to the 15,000 he has raised for us in the previous six years!
Through my role and my own experiences, I feel a deep emotional connection to the Armed Forces community.
During his walk, Tommy passed checkpoints at North Shields War Memorial, Wallsend War Memorial and Jesmond War Memorial, paying respect to his fellow veterans. Participating in the fundraising campaign for his 7th year, the walk has become an annual tradition for Tommy, reflecting his values and commitment to making a lasting impact for veterans...
Intrepid (and soaked) WWTW team reach Manchester Cenotaph partway through epic 700km 18-day Long Way Home challenge
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Gregg Stevenson, paralympic gold medallist and Walking With The Wounded trustee, joined the Long Way Home team on Monday 15th December as it arrived at the Manchester Cenotaph, 423km into its mammoth 18-day, 700km trek from The Cenotaph in London to Newcastle, pulling the pulk ‘home’ in time for Christmas.
The intrepid teams have faced poor weather, Storm Bram, mud, multiple punctures and equipment failures, but determination has kept them walking.
Gregg joined for the final rain-drenched kilometres into central Manchester. He said: “The special thing about Walking With The Wounded is they do exactly what they say…it’s about supporting people who have come across hard times, so thank you very much for your support. This whole mission...
Tidworth soldiers and veterans join forces this Christmas for multi-day fundraising challenge
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A team of serving soldiers, reservists and veterans are taking on a mammoth fundraising challenge in aid of our annual fundraising campaign, Walking Home For Christmas.
Andrew White, who served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for 31 years and is now a Full Time Reservist, and friend Jamie Clibery, who began his military career in 2002 as a Vehicle Mechanic and now serves in the Defence Accident Investigation Branch, are taking part in the charity’s annual Walking Home For Christmas campaign for the fifth year running.
Determined to make their fundraising bigger and better each year, this year the team will be taking on not one but three challenges. Beginning with a charity football match on 8th November at Tidworth Oval...
Star of TV’s Hunted and Celebrity Hunted revealed as Ambassador for Walking Home For Christmas 2025
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We are utterly delighted to announce that Nichola Tidd, military veteran and star of Channel 4’s BAFTA award-winning programmes Hunted and Celebrity Hunted, has joined us as Ambassador for this year’s Walking Home For Christmas and Long Way Home.
During her decade-long military career, Nichola served in the Royal Navy before secondment to Army Intelligence, where she saw two operational tours, in Afghanistan and Iraq.
No stranger to mental health struggles herself, Nichola, has bravely spoken out about the mental health challenges that female veterans can face, particularly within a culture that can discourage vulnerability. Her own PTSD symptoms began to emerge while she was still serving and continued to develop once she had left the...