A tight-knit team of colleagues have banded together to honour those who fell in the First World War with a 100-mile hike. To mark the centenary of the 1918 Armistice, the team are raising funds for the oldest military charity, SSAFA – who were there supporting the troops and their families then, and still helping now.
Departing on Thursday 8th November, the hike will start in Amiens and end at the Menin Gate, Ypres in Belgium in time for the last post on Sunday 11th November. The route will take in the battlefields of the Great War including Vimy, Arras, Albert and Langemark – where well over a million men lost their lives over the course of the bitter struggle.
The eight hikers make up part of the Openreach Service Delivery team in the South of the UK. The company has pledged to support SSAFA’s Forcesline – a confidential helpline operating outside of the chain of command. This means that money raised by the employees there will directly support men and women in the Armed Forces family in need of a non-judgemental ear and guidance.
It has become clear over more than 130 years of providing Forces support that everyone faces different challenges, so SSAFA uses a tailored approach to meet the needs of today’s serving community. Whether it’s practical, emotional and financial support – SSAFA is there to serve the Armed Forces family every step of the way.
To support the team as they hike to Ypres, head to – https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/openreachsupportingssafa
Notes to editors
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885. Every year our staff and team of volunteers help more than 73,000 people, from Second World War veterans to young men and women who have served in more recent conflicts.
For more information visit www.ssafa.org.uk and follow us on Twitter: @SSAFA.
