Six Army recruitment offices are taking part in a hiking relay around Wales in support of military charities including Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
The challenge, named ‘Exercise Welsh Walker’ sees each team tackling a 100-mile section over a week. After six weeks, 600 miles will have been walked around the perimeter of Wales starting in Cardiff and crossing the final finish line in Swansea on 17 July.
Not only will the walkers be fundraising for military charities, but they will also be raising awareness of the wide variety of opportunities available from a career in the Army.
The Bangor Army Careers Office is one of the groups which has chosen to raise money in support of Blind Veterans UK. They have been given the penultimate leg of the relay and will set off from Machynlleth on Monday 8 July and will walk for just over 100 miles before finishing at Carmarthen Castle on 12 July.
Lance Sergeant James Worthington from the Bangor Army Careers Office says:
“Our office has chosen to support Blind Veterans UK as I have visited the charity’s Centre of Wellbeing on Llandudno and was blown away by the support given to visually impaired veterans and their families.
“A member of the team also has a family member who is supported by the charity which made the choice even easier.”
Sergeant Adrian Lobley from the Wrexham Army Careers Office, who also chose to raise money for Blind Veterans UK, led his team for an earlier leg of the relay. His dad is a blind veteran who served for 35 years in the Royal Air Force as a gunner and lost his sight later in life due to macular degeneration. He began receiving support from Blind Veterans UK last year.
Adrian said:
“Dad has been supplied with a special keyboard and software so that he is still able to use his computer, magnifying aids, a liquid level indicator to help him when making his coffee, training in using a white cane, and sunglasses. He has an assigned support worker who he can contact if he needs help and attends a bi-monthly coffee morning.
“I can see first-hand how the charity helps and I hope that with our support many more veterans can receive the support that my dad gets.”
If you would like to support the Bangor Army Careers Office please visit their fundraising page: gofundme.com/f/blind-veterans-uk-operation-welsh-walker
If you are part of a group and would like to find out more about how you could organise your own challenge or be part of campaigns such as Armed Forces Month, Gift a Wreath or Planning to Remember in support of Blind Veterans UK, please visit the charity’s website: blindveterans.org.uk/fundraise
Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country, but knows there are many thousands more who still need its support to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, then please get in touch. Call 0800 389 7979 or visit blindveterans.org.uk/gethelp
