Wounded veterans head to Cheltenham's Imjin barracks as part of UK expedition
They're raising money for the charity Walking With The Wounded
A team of wounded serving and ex-military are heading to Cheltenham's Imjin barracks as part of their 400km expedition around the UK.
They're raising money and awareness for the Walking With The Wounded charity's employment, mental health, care coordination and volunteering programmes.
The team were due to cross the Omani desert but plans had to be scrapped due to the pandemic.
Instead they are now going to cross the UK, walking the equivalent distance of 10 marathons in 12 days.
The charity, of which The Duke of Sussex is a patron for, supports veterans and their families to get back on their feet and contribute in their communities after being injured.
Starting on Pen-Y-Fan in Wales, the 6-man team will walk through Hereford, which is home to the Special Air Service, and then into Cheltenham - to the hisotrical Imjin barracks.
They will then arrive at the start of the infamous Thames path - a long distance walking trail that follows the river Thames from its source in the Cotswolds - before arriving in the heart of London and finishing at the Omani Embassy in London, in Belgravia.
The team will be supported by a Grenadier vehicle for parts of the route.
Due to various physical injuries, some
Team members will only be able to walk part of the route – overcoming their individual situations to achieve what they can.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, said, “The team at Walking With The Wounded understand that it’s not about where you walk — it’s about walking together with a common purpose and shared mission.
These men and women know what service is, they’ve seen and overcome adversity, and they won’t let obstacles get in their way. They are paragons of inspiration for communities everywhere. We wish them good luck and good weather.”
The team began their journey on 10 October to coincide with World Mental Health Day.
They will be arriving at the Imjin Barracks in Cheltenham on Wednesday 13 October.