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Welsh hiking relay completed

Published on 7 Aug 2024

‘Exercise Welsh Walker’ saw six Army Recruitment Offices each assigned a week to tackle a 100-mile section of the Welsh coast in a hiking relay that took six weeks to complete.

The first team set off from Cardiff and the final team crossed the finish line in Swansea on 17 July.

The walkers did a fantastic job of raising awareness of the wide variety of opportunities available from a career in the Army but, not only that, they also raised an incredible amount of money for their chosen military charities.

A group of four members of the Wrexham Army Careers Office all wearing camouflage trousers and carrying camouflage backpacks. They are stood with mountains behind them
Stopped for a break and taking in the terrain
The team of seven walkers wearing camouflage trousers and holding three Blind Veterans UK banners
The walkers from Wrexham Army Careers Office about to set off
A group of five from the Wrexham Army Careers Office walking in a line with one carrying a large Blind Veterans UK flag
Carrying our flag during the walk

The Wrexham and Bangor Army Careers Offices chose to raise money in support of our charity and between them have raised nearly £500.

Taking on their leg of the walk back in June, the Wrexham team started in Brecon and finished just north of Welshpool.

Adrian who is a sergeant from the Wrexham Army Careers Office says:

“Some of the miles we walked were on pretty tough terrain such as the Black Mountain range but we were very lucky with the weather and it was definitely good to get out of the office and spend some time walking through scenic parts of Wales as this is something that I would never normally do.
“Blind Veterans UK is a fantastic charity that has offered some amazing support to both of my parents so I’m very happy to have been able to raise money to support them.

“My dad is a blind veteran. He served for 35 years in the Royal Air Force as a gunner being based in Aden, Cyprus, Germany, Falklands, Northern Ireland and Belieze. He lost his sight later in life due to macular degeneration. "
Five members of the Wrexham Army Careers Office sat down on the mountain taking in the view
Taking in the view

Adrian's dad began receiving support from our charity last year and has already enjoyed a stay at our Llandudno Centre which was not only fantastic for him but also gave Adrian's mum a break. Adrian says:

"I was privileged to also spend some time at the centre and was able to speak to the veterans and their partners and it was apparent to me that the support offered by Blind Veterans UK had made a tangible difference to their quality of life. 

“Dad has also been supplied with a special computer keyboard and computer 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.”  

There is still time to support the Wrexham Army Careers Office:

Visit their Just Giving page

Are you 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 Gift a Wreath or Planning to Remember in support of our blind veterans? 

Find out more

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