It’s a long way from Catterick to London – especially on foot – but a group of soldiers, mainly from the Royal Anglian Regiment, walked 230 miles from their Yorkshire base to Barnet TA Centre Centre, to raise money for Veterans Aid. Arriving footsore and weary, but in good spirits, they were welcome by friends, family and members of the charity.
The man behind the fundraiser was 33-year-old Sergeant Major Danny Morgan, an infantryman who’s seen action in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Danny was joined by six fellow walkers and supported by three ‘roadies’, providing crucial logistics support. Planned with the precision of a military operation the soldiers’ journey started at Infantry Training Centre (ITC) Catterick on 22 February taking them through Bedale, Dishforth, Weatherby, Tadcaster, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Pontefract, Norton, Doncaster, Tickhill, Worksop, Ollerton, Oxton, Bingham, Cotgrave, Melton Mowbray, Oakham, Corby, Kettering, Burton Latimer, Higham Ferrers, Rushden, Clapham, Kempston, Shefford, Hitchin, Welwyn Hatfield and Potters Bar. They arrived in Barnet 12 days later – blistered but buoyant.
Danny’s sister Jo said “The boys did it to raise funds and increase awareness of Veterans Aid and its work with ex-Servicemen down on their luck and homeless. In December Danny and I met the Secretary of Veterans Aid, Colonel Geoffrey Cardozo, who told us some wonderful stories about ex-Servicemen and women it had helped and showed us a short film about one of them who was homeless, had picked up a few bad habits and really lost his way.
“He went to Veterans Aid and asked for help – and it was immediate. They fed him, found him a room in their hostel, helped him with rail travel to get to interviews and catch up with friends. He is now once again clean, healthy, successful, and able to take care of himself and look in the mirror with pride.”
Jo and Danny were both inspired by what they learned. “Danny has always had a very caring side and a desire to make the world a better, happier place to live in. A few years ago he did the Three Peaks challenge, not only climbing but also doing a sponsored bike ride between them. This was for Cancer Research and the Army Benevolent Fund. He first heard about Veterans Aid after reading an article in The Big Issue and the idea of the walk was born. ”
Danny said, "The cold winter made me think about how lucky I am and how some people are not as fortunate. Our troops give so much and it's awful to see them in need and being neglected. If, by this walk, we have raised awareness about the lack of support veterans get from the Government and for the great work Veterans Aid does - and raise money for them at the same time - that will be awesome."
At various stages along their route Danny’s team were joined by other walkers; soldiers and Servicemen from the areas they passed through along with family and friends of the main six walkers – Danny, originally from Abbots Langley, Corporal Lee Davison, 25, from Grimsby; Corporal Gav Watts, 25, from Essex; Corporal Michael Foster, 30, from Manchester; Lance Corporal Dave Murray, 26, from London and Sergeant Michael Butcher, 32, from Peterborough.
The soldiers’ stroll was no walk in the park but a mixture of a Tactical Advance to Battle (TAB) exercise, which consists of the six carrying weighted patrol packs and moving at a fairly rapid pace, and regular, steady walking.
Lee Davison, a Grimsby man whose father Hugh has already raised £1,500 for the lads said “I did this walk for two reasons; partly for the personal challenge, but most importantly to raise money and awareness for an extremely worthwhile charity, that one day any of us may require the services of.”
When Hugh Davison, who joined the lads for the last leg of their journey, arrived at Barnet he was met by veterans Aid representative Nigel Naesmith. In time honoured military-fashion the two men discovered a shared early ‘history’ of time spent in the Royal Navy service.
Lee – better known as ‘Brew’ for his legendary tea-making skills - said “The public are doing a fantastic job supporting their Armed Forces with amazing charities like Help 4 Heroes that deal with those who bear the physical scars of combat. I thought that being able to generate support for a lesser known charity, one that does just as important a job helping those ex-soldiers who have a hard time adjusting to civilian life, or fallen on hard times, would be great.
“At the end of the day these men and women, who we and Veterans Aid are trying to help, have given the best years of their lives to ensure that the country in which we live stays safe and free from enemies. And now they face the biggest fight of their lives. So I feel that it is only right to show that the bond and the brotherhood upon which the Forces thrives extends beyond the day on which you hand in your uniform.”
Gavin Watts who has lived in Rainham for most of his life added “Veterans aid is a wonderful organisation, engaging every day with fellow veterans who are down on their luck - not strangers but members of our military family who need a ‘hand up’ not a ‘hand out’. Every veteran, no matter what his or her circumstances or background, has the right to lead a happy and normal life. Veteran Aid's brilliant work with them helps overcome their often-daunting problems, by tackling their personal issues and assisting them to rebuild and sustain their new lives. Once I became aware of the walk I didn't hesitate in signing up. For VA to continue doing its great work it needs financial help. I only hope that people reading this consider helping too.
VA’s mantra is ‘Man down – help now’ and it strikes a chord in men like Danny and his mates. Their philosophy is summed up by his sister “Danny always puts 100% into every thing he does and is so humble in his attitude to life; I know the world would be a much happier place if there were more people like him in it, I’m proud to say he is my brother.”
And Geoffrey Cardozo, who first inspired Danny and Jo with his stories about VA’s work, added his words of thanks to the weary walkers, on behalf of all at the charity.
It’s not too late to support the walkers; funds can still be dedicated to their effort via the donations link on this website or by sending cheques to Veterans Aid, Soldiers Walk, 40 Buckingham Palace Road, Westminster, London SW1W 0RE.
At various stages along their route Danny’s team were joined by other walkers; soldiers and Servicemen from the areas they passed through along with family and friends of the main six walkers – Danny, originally from Abbots Langley, Corporal Lee Davison, 25, from Grimsby; Corporal Gav Watts, 25, from Essex; Corporal Michael Foster, 30, from Manchester; Lance Corporal Dave Murray, 26, from London and Sergeant Michael Butcher, 32, from Peterborough.