The Walking With The Wounded Walk of Britain expedition involved a core team of 4 UK and 2 US wounded veterans walking over 1,000 miles through mainland UK throughout August, September and October 2015, finishing at Buckingham Palace on 01 November 2015.
The walk passed through Scotland, the North East, North West, Wales, Midlands, South West, South East, East Anglia and London and was WWTW’s first UK based endeavor, involving those with physical, mental and psychological injury. The walk began in Scotland, and as it gradually snaked south took in some of the country’s most iconic and beautiful scenery and landmarks such as Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike, as well as passing through many of the UK’s best known towns and cities.
The Walk strove to engage with local communities and the UK regional / national media every day, highlighting the extraordinary determination of our wounded service personnel and veterans and raising awareness of the work that WWTW is doing across the country to support the wounded back into independence through long term and sustainable employment.
The core team of 6 wounded was joined by other wounded personnel in various parts of the country, as we aimed to include different stories of wounded, injured and sick veterans with varying stories and with differing injuries. The team was also joined by our Royal Expedition Patron, Prince Harry, on 2 separate occasions.
As well as preparing the team and support crew with all necessary clothing, kit and equipment, medical supplies, physio support, nutrition plans and also coordinating family and friends visits along the way and team travel home to keep spirits high, the 72 day 10 week expedition required the coordination of:
- Over 2500 meals
- Over 900 bed spaces
- Over 200 events on the move as we passed through hamlets, villages, towns and cities
- 27 drivers on weekly rotation, as well as the coordination of their associated travel
- 10 separate walking weeks with wholly individual sponsor requirements
- 6 core wounded walking team members throughout
- The 3 summits of the highest peaks of Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike) and Wales (Snowdon)
- 3 Land Rover support vehicles and the maintenance throughout
- A support crew of over 50 people on permanent rotation
- 1 Royal Protection team and 1 Royal Prince
- The synchronization of additional walkers joining the expedition, ranging from mountain leaders, expedition sponsors, Lord Lieutenants, High Sheriffs, Mayors, celebrities, news crews, journalists, and the international friends and family of those team members involved.
It is fair to say that the core walking team never needed to think about the support they required. It just happened due to Victoria’s diligence and eye for detail.
Ed Parker