Former RAF servicemen Tony Murray and Stuart Skinner will be walking 125 miles in support of this year’s The Great Tommy Sleep Out.
The pair have set themselves the challenge of covering the distance from their former RAF basic training unit in Weston-Super-Mare, RAF Locking, to the National Memorial Arboretum. It will take them a total of six days and they will be sleeping out every night along the way.
Their fundraising activities on behalf of RBLI, which include raffles, collections and other charity walks, take place year round and raise thousands for the cause.
Tony, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was in the RAF for 26 years, spending two decades as an airman, where he travelled the world, followed by several years as a commissioned officer within communications electronics. He said:
“What drives me on is not just the fundraising side but the fact that I’m helping to raise awareness of the issue of veteran homelessness.
“Royal British Legion Industries can provide safe, warm housing for many who are on our streets, and also ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to gain employment, regardless of health conditions or disability.
“My heart goes out to those who have been in service and then end up in these circumstances, and so as RBLI supporters we want to do everything we can to help. We’ve been preparing fitness-wise for the daily walks, we think we’re in good shape, and as Scotsmen we won’t have any trouble keeping a conversation going for the duration.”
Tony added:
“The elation at the end of a marathon walk is tremendous, although along the way we also have to expect tiredness, swollen feet and the occasional lost toenail.”
The duo will be keenly supported by their friends Andy Yeates and Ivor Clyde, who will travel the route by van and keep them replenished with supplies. At night-time they are by themselves, though, relying on military issue sleeping bags to help get them through six chilly nights outdoors.
This is Tony and Stuart’s fourth The Great Tommy Sleep Out: last year (as pictured) they completed a walk from Northallerton to the National Memorial Arboretum, which formed part of the £20,000 total they raised during 2024.
Tony’s JustGiving page is at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/tonymurray1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
To take part in The Great Tommy Sleep Out in March, or find out more about RBLI’s national, award-winning campaign, please visit www.rbli.co.uk/sleepout
