Robert's Veteran Story
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‘WWTW meant absolutely everything. They really cared, and now I am a lot better man than I have been for years.’
Robert enlisted in the Army and joined the Royal Artillery, serving for 8 years.
10 years later, in 2006, Robert re-enlisted with 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Reserves, and was deployed to Afghanistan with 3 Squadron RAF Regiment (Regular Unit). It was a ‘full-on’ tour lasting 7 months. Robert began to experience problems adjusting to civilian life - he couldn’t sleep or cope with life and he was unable to understand why. He struggled on for five years but eventually his mental health got the better of him and he had a breakdown in March 2013.
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In 2017, after years of trying to get help, his...
Matt's Story
By Walking With The Wounded on
Every penny you raise for Walking Home For Christmas will support people like Matt..
‘As an alcoholic, I’d taken things right to the edge and I needed to rebuild my life in gradual steps. The help I received from WWTW was incredible. My WWTW Advisor, Alex, was always there for me - She listened, she did lots of work on my behalf and then she pointed me in the right direction. She got it spot on and I cannot thank her enough for that.’
Matt joined the Royal Hampshire Regiment in 1983 at the age of 16. After 5 years’ service, Matt decided to leave the army to pursue a career outside of the military.
Unfortunately, it was during this period that Matt began to drink. At first it was social drinking – the odd pint after work and at the...
Top WHFC stories from 2019 to inspire you...
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We value every one of our fundraisers.THANK YOU for all of your fundraising, you have helped to support 160+ veterans. Take a look at some of our favourite stories from Walking Home For Christmas this year:
Getting the kids involved...
7 year old Myiah walked 1 mile home from school everyday from the 1st Nov until the end of term, raising just over 380. She even got the opportunity to walk laps of the pitch at Rangers FC (her favourite team).
Jen Cowley and her son Harry walked 6 miles to school, setting off at a 5.15am to make it in time for his first lesson of the day, raising a grand total of 926.25.
The challenge seekers...
Graham Mckenna ran 50 miles home from Corsham back to Bridgwater, raising just over 1,000, his run for Walking...
Military Walks to Rally Your Regiment
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Get your Regiment involved and check out some of what our current and former servicemen and women are up to this Christmas:
PARACHUTE REGIMENT: Jamie, who served in the TA's in the Parachute Regiment, will be walking the length of the Circle Line in London carrying a 70lb bergen. A total of 17 miles.
ROYAL ENGINEERS: On Sunday 22nd Dec. Ex-Royal Engineers serviceman, Simon Bell, and his team will be walking 10.5 miles across the Peak District from Wetton Mill to their home Town of Leek in Staffordshire.
HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY REGIMENT: Currently serving in the Household Cavalry Regiment, Craig will be walking a mile with 450 friends, family, colleagues and supporters.
DAVE OWEN: Dave, who took part last year, challenged himself again...
10 Walks to Inspire You in 2019
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As we approach the start of Walking Home For Christmas, take a look at some of our favourite walks and stories already planned for this year:
AFGHANISTAN TO ARBORETUM: Walking With The Wounded beneficiary, Simon Johnson, who has taken part in Walking Home For Christmas for the last 5 years, will be completing a virtual walk from Afghanistan to the UK, walking 3,500 miles over the course of the year, culminating in a 30 mile walk to the National Memorial during WHFC
39KM FOR 39 YEARS: Briony Hill will be celebrating her 39th birthday on 17th December with a 39km walk (24+ miles) from Salisbury Cathedral to the The Ship Inn at Upavon, hoping to raise 390.
HOLLAND TO HOME: Veteran, Ben, who now lives in Holland, will be walking 425 miles...
Businesses on Board - Walking Home For Christmas 2019
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CYGNET: From 17th- 19th Dec. Cygnet CEO, Dr. Tony Romero and Co. will be walking from their HQ in London down to Portsmouth. A total of 61 miles.
WILKIN CHAPMAN: Bringing everyone together for a good cause, all of Wilkin Chapman's offices, located in the North East, will be taking part in WHFC this year: Beverley, Lincoln, Doncaster, The Wolds, and Grimsby
PLUNKETT ASSOCIATES: The employees of Plunkett Associates will be taking part in WHFC in order to support their colleague John Clark in his fundraising efforts for the Marathon de Sables 2020, in which John will be part of the WWTW team. On Fri 20th December, employees will be taking part in a walk, taking mince pies round to all local companies in the Business Park and asking for...
Walking Home For Christmas 2019 Launch
By Media Team on
Yesterday we celebrated the official launch of Walking Home For Christmas 2019. We were joined in London by an amazing group of beneficiaries and new campaign ambassadors, including Wayne Bridge and two leading actors from Sam Mendes’ new film 1917- George MacKay and Dean Charles Chapman. The route took us from the Millennium Bridge to the Cenotaph- a fitting place to finish.
Now it’s over to you to do your own Walk Home For Christmas. This is a fun, personal walking challenge which you can do anytime between December 12th to December 22nd. It’s also the perfect opportunity for you to gather friends, family and colleagues to take part with you.
Sign up to Walking Home For Christmas to raise funds for those who served
Neil's Veteran Story
By Walking With The Wounded on
Every penny you raise for Walking Home For Christmas will support people like Neil...
Deployed to Bosnia, Macedonia, Iraq, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan in a 23-year career before medical discharge. 
Neil, a WO2 in the Army Air Corps, suffered a training accident in Kenya where he was trapped underwater beneath an upturned raft, nearly drowned, suffered spinal injuries and as a result struggled with PTSD, including an extreme phobia of water. This impacted his family life, his marriage suffered and eventually lead to divorce, “it felt like I had lost it all, my wife and two wonderful children. It was too much to deal with.”
Post discharge he was referred to WWTW’s mental health programme, is now able to cope with his PTSD and has...
Brendan's Veteran Story
By Walking With The Wounded on
Every penny you raise for Walking Home For Christmas will support people like Brendan...
Served in N.Ireland, Kosovo and the Falklands in a 12 year spell with 3 Para before doing a further 14 years as an Army Medic. 
He was diagnosed with PTSD believed to be from his first-hand involvement of treating casualties returning from various conflicts – and was reluctantly medically discharged from the Army two years after suffering a stroke.
Brendan was referred to the NHS Veterans team after his PTSD flared up while being treated in hospital for an infection. They referred him to WWTW to find a job which would help with his mental health.
"Mentally, I was on the floor when I was referred to WWTW. My Employment Advisor picked me up and...