We’ve got 150 entry packs containing special Santa hats which we’ll be sending out to people who have pledged to #GetOutside. Consult your maps…. where would you walk?
The campaign, backed by Nick Knowles, Julia Bradbury, Sir Chris Bonington and GB’s Invictus Games captain Dave Henson among others, will see thousands of people being sent WWTW Santa hats, pulling on their walking boots and having an adventure on their very own doorstep – be it 1 mile or 100 miles this December. Last year 500 walkers raised more than £100,000 and this year the campaign aims to raise enough launch its employment programme for homeless veterans in five more locations across the UK.
Anyone who signs up will also be in the running to win a personalised OS map which will be given to selected walkers who have shown particular a commitment or invention with their route.
There are already some remarkable walks in the pipeline to inspire you, including:
The record breaker - Audrey McCune, a grandmother, walking more than 400 miles from Woodbridge in Suffolk to her childhood home near Holywood, Northern Ireland, inspired by her grandson who is a serving soldier.
The cross country - Mick Bourke, an electrician for Irwin Mitchell solicitors is walking across the Pennines from their Leeds office to their Manchester office.
The memory lane - Derek is walking back to the old RAF Chessington where he did his rehab many years ago.
The long-held ambition - Natalie Sykes is walking home from Hersham in Surrey to Holmfirth in Yorkshire.
The military connection - Harry Bucknall and Jock Davis are walking 335 miles from Coldstream to the steps of St Paul's Cathedral on 14 December for a special pop-up carol concert.
The team-builder - Nyree at Haberdashers School For Girls is walking 15 miles from Abergavenny to Monmouth for a staff curry in the dining hall
The Ingenious Idea – 1st Middleton Scouts in Manchester pulled a cart and handed out presents
The Train-ing Plan - Brian Sykes walked 3 miles home from his local train station
The (long) dog walk - Nigel Horne and his black Labrador walked 14 miles home across the Severn Bridge from Bristol.
Walking With The Wounded supports veterans with physical, mental or social injuries on their journey to long-term security, independence and employment. Walking Home For Christmas raises funds for WWTW’s Home Straight programme which supports homeless veterans back into employment and independence.
It currently has projects in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Catterick, Aldershot and Bristol with four more opening soon. Every £40,000 funds a new centre.
By signing up to Walk Home For Christmas you will be helping veterans like Sean:
If you've already sent in a #GetOutside pledge, keep an eye on your email to see if you've won - if not, why not complete the pledge form below.
