A GROUP of 14 members of the British Army based in Tidworth are Walking Home for Christmas to raise money for a charity supporting military veterans.

The soldiers will walk a circular 20-mile route on Friday, December 16, which starts and ends at Royal British Legion in Tidworth and takes in the historical landmark, Stonehenge. The feat is part of Walking Home for Christmas, the annual nationwide fundraising walking challenge from veterans’ charity, Walking with the Wounded.

An estimated five million veterans live in the UK. While most of the over 15,000 personnel who leave the forces each year have a successful transition to civilian life, a small but significant minority do not.

Walking with the Wounded supports those who served, and their families, to thrive.

Between now and December 20, thousands of people across the country will walk to raise money for Walking with the Wounded’s mental health and employment support for former servicemen and women. Some will walk short distances every day, others will tackle longer walks with family or friends - all will do so to support military veterans. 

The Tidworth soldiers will be led by Warrant Officer, Jay Clibery, who is currently assigned to the Defence Accident Investigation Branch as a Land Engineer Investigator. He said: “Walking with the Wounded does great work with veterans, especially recognising areas that individuals should not be scared to raise or discuss, such as mental health. Anything we can do to promote and support the charity so they can help more people, the better.

“Having taken part in Walking Home for Christmas last year, I wanted to go bigger and better this time around. More of us are walking this year and we’re going further. We have also organised a family day we hope will bring a bit of Christmas cheer while raising even more money.”

The group will set off from the Royal British Legion in Tidworth at 8.30am on Friday, December 16. They expect to arrive at their halfway point of Stonehenge by around midday, finishing their hike back at Tidworth at approximately 4.30pm.

The following day they will welcome families to the Royal British Legion in Tidworth for a day of fundraising fun between 1pm and 4pm and an evening auction from 7pm until late). The family day is free to attend and open to everyone. 

The evening auction has lots including footballs signed by players from Manchester United and Chelsea, a signed Team Haas Formula One shirt and a four-ball at Tidworth Golf Course. There will also be live music and a raffle with a top prize of a commemorative England World Cup winner’s shirt signed by Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.

For more information go to walkinghomeforchristmas.com.