Gregg Stevenson, paralympic gold medallist, joined military charity, Walking With The Wounded (WWTW), on Monday as it arrived at the Manchester Cenotaph, 423km into its mammoth 18-day, 700km trek from The Cenotaph in London to Newcastle, pulling a symbolic pulk (Arctic sled) ‘home’ in time for Christmas
Gregg, a trustee of the charity, joined for the final rain-drenched kilometres into central Manchester.
On the challenge and the charity 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 represents the veteran community WWTW supports – its resilience, pushing ourselves and having a bit of fun and camaraderie along the way.”
Walking With The Wounded’s annual Christmas fundraiser challenges the charity’s supporters to take on a sponsored walk with family, friends or colleagues. Every penny raised goes to support veterans and their families.
For many, winter and Christmas are a time to celebrate with loved ones, but for some of the veterans WWTW supports, that isn’t their reality. Instead, winter can be a difficult time for them. For over 10 years, Walking Home For Christmas has connected communities throughout the UK, all with the same aim: to support those who served.
At the launch at The Cenotaph in London on 5th December, Ambassador Nichola Tidd said: “I wanted to give something back and I’m delighted that myself and my daughter, Elodie, can be a part of Walking Home For Christmas this year, and also Long Way Home, which so gets to the heart of what WWTW stands for.” Nichola and Elodie have joined Long Way Home for a number of legs, and will be joining as it reaches the end in Newcastle on 22nd December.
