Former Royal Navy serviceman Matthew Flinn is planning a four-day hike along Hadrian’s Wall in aid of The Great Tommy Sleep Out.
Matthew, from Bishop Auckland, will be walking the entire 84-mile distance on a solo mission, equipped with military-issue ration packs and a series of audiobooks to keep him going throughout his challenge.
The Great Tommy Sleep Out is an annual fundraising campaign run by Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI). Each March, individuals, groups and communities across the UK come together to support the event, sleeping outdoors for one night or more to raise funds for RBLI’s work with homeless veterans.
“My family has a long history of serving in the Forces, and helping veterans in need is something I feel passionate about,” Matthew, now a shopkeeper, said. “I have seen veteran homelessness at first-hand, and it feels like such a tragedy that people who have served their country can end up in that position.
“I want to help in any way I can. While I have done wild camping in the past, I have never been a big hiker, so while I’m looking forward to the challenge I have some anxiety about the damage to my feet!
“But there will be no problem keeping up my motivation over the four days: the fact that lots of people have donated, and are backing me all the way, means I’ll stay fully committed, even if it ends up taking me more than four days to complete the challenge.”
Matthew served in the Royal Navy for six years, which included a tour of Afghanistan, and was among The Great Tommy Sleep Out supporters last year when he headed to the Scottish wilderness.
This year, setting himself an even bigger test, he has a tight schedule planned: he’ll be up at sunrise, setting off at 8am each day and walking for approximately seven hours, with just a few rests in between. Before nightfall, he’ll be searching for a safe and quiet place to bed down, until hiking resumes the following morning.
Matthew’s other concern is the sheer weight of the military ration packs he’ll be carrying, as four of these – containing the likes of beef stew, lemon and chicken rice and baked beans, plus a gas stove – will be weighty.
“I’m aiming for total self-reliance,” Matthew says. “Dropping in to pubs was an appealing thought, but that makes it less of a challenge, so ration packs it is.”
Once he has said goodbye to his wife and young children and set off on day one, then a big supply of music and audio books will be keeping his spirits up, along with the knowledge that he is raising hundreds of pounds for the cause.
Lisa Farmer, RBLI’s Chief Executive, said,
“The Great Tommy Sleep Out is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by servicemen and women who can find themselves without a home when they return to civilian life, and the support from people such as Matthew has never been more important. With the money raised we continue to support veterans in their time of greatest need, and at the same time we are bringing the issue of veteran homelessness to national attention.”
RBLI’s wide range of services include providing a home, welfare and employment support to Armed Forces veterans.
If you would like to donate to Matthew’s mission: https://tinyurl.com/y4jvxuhd
To take part in The Great Tommy Sleep Out in March, or for more details: rbli.co.uk/sleepout.
