Scone Palace welcomes Walk of Britain Expedition on 1,000 mile journey
A group of six wounded veterans visited Scone Palace yesterday during their Walk of Britain expedition, a 1,000 mile journey through mainland UK to engage with local communities and raise awareness of the work Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) is doing across the country to support wounded servicemen and women.
The Walk of Britain Expedition sees the veterans, who have all experienced physical or cognitive injuries whilst in the line of duty, walk 1,000 miles throughout August, September and October with their visit to the crowning place of Scottish Kings marking the end of their fourth day of walking.
Day four took the veterans through Highland Perthshire, finishing their walk at Scone Palace at approximately 5pm. The group were met by Lady Stormont of Scone Palace and members of the public as they arrived the Palace at the end of their fourth day of walking.
Setting off in Scotland on 22nd August, the six ex-service personnel, four from UK and two from the US, will travel the length and breadth of Britain finishing on The Mall and at Buckingham Palace on November 1st.
Edward Parker, Co-founder and CEO of Walking With The Wounded commented:
“Walking over 1,000 miles is no mean feat. Yet again, we will be able to demonstrate that despite injuries these men and women look to their future with great determination and courage.
“We are also very excited about walking amongst the communities who have been so supportive of the military and Walking With The Wounded and we look forward to them coming out to support the team on their journey.”
One team member is Alec Robotham. Alec passed out of Royal Marines in 2007 and joined 40 Commando and was posted to Helmand Province in 2010. A suicide bomber detonated himself just metres behind him and, whilst he was lucky that the heavy equipment on his back absorbed much of the shock, he sustained life changing injuries to his legs and right hand. He said:
“This last few months I have been feeling quite uneasy and restless about my future. WWTW has given me a purpose, something to aim for, a challenge which is needed, and most of all hope for the future.
“The fact that WWTW helps injured servicemen and women with funds and secures employment and their future is an incredible thing and I am very thankful not just for myself but for future personnel who will be supported through the charity.”
Lady Stormont, Scone Palace, commented:
“It is a privilege to welcome the Walk of Britain expedition to Scone Palace during their incredible journey throughout the UK and help to raise awareness of the work that Walking With The Wounded do to support wounded veterans.”
To find out more about Walk of Britain, Walking With The Wounded and the veterans taking part visit http://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/walkofbritain2015/ and to follow the walk as it happens find them on twitter @SupportTheWalk.
If you wish to donate please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=walkofbritain
To find out more about Scone Palace, visit www.scone-palace.co.uk
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Notes for Editors
Image Details
(WalkingWondedSconePalace4-jpg) Left to right: Stewart Hill, Scott Ransley, Matt Fisher, Lady Stormont, Andrew Brement, Kirstie Ennis, Alec Robotham
The Walk of Britain expedition will see six wounded veterans walk over 1,000 miles through mainland UK throughout August, September and October this year. The Walk will engage with local communities and the media every day to highlight the extraordinary determination of Our wounded personnel and to raise awareness of the work that Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) is doing across the country to support the wounded back into independence through long term employment.
The core team of four British wounded veterans and two US wounded will be joined by other wounded personnel each week in different parts of the country.
The Walk will start on 22nd August in Scotland and finish in London on 1st November, going via the North East, North West, Wales, Midlands, South West, South East and East Anglia, finishing on The Mall and at Buckingham Palace.
Prince Harry has supported Walking With The Wounded since the charity was formed, taking part in the trek to the North Pole in 2011 and to The South Pole in 2013. He was also Patron of the WWTW Everest Expedition in 2012 and is again the Expedition Patron for The Walk of Britain and will be joining the team along the way.