Staff, veterans and volunteers from the Help for Heroes Recovery Centre in Colchester are getting their walking boots on! They are supporting a major fundraising drive to help Britain’s wounded veterans who are at risk; some battling unemployment, isolation and struggling with their mental health.
Two of Britain’s leading military charities, Help for Heroes and Walking With The Wounded, have joined forces for this year’s Walking Home for Christmas campaign; with support from Matalan.
The campaign calls on communities to put their best foot forward to raise much-needed cash to help veterans and their families. Simply by going for a walk.
Funds raised will help people like 38-year-old Naomi Adie from Norfolk who has been supported by Colchester Recovery Centre. She was serving in the Royal Air Force as a Survival Equipment Fitter when she was posted to Afghanistan over Christmas.
Anyone can raise money for the campaign by taking a sponsored walk between December 13th – 23rd – whether it’s taking a present to a loved one or walking to a place that means something to you.
The two charities will split all funds raised from this year’s campaign to pay for vital support for veterans at risk. For example:
• £150 could pay for a one-day employment course.
• £300 could pay for mentoring support to start up a business.
• £675 is the average cost to receive 12 mental health therapy sessions.
Signing up for Walking Home for Christmas is easy and free. Just log on to www.walkinghomeforchristmas.com and register for your fundraising pack and Santa hat.
Join Colchester Recovery Centre on their sponsored walk by registering with Ann Scott on 01206 814882. They will be walking around an Essex Wildlife Trust site at Fingringhoe on Saturday 1st December from 11am – 1pm. Essex Wildlife Trust will be leading the walk which will be also be attending by MP Will Quince, Santa and Hero Bear!
