Wounded war veterans cheered on through North Yorkshire on epic 1,000 mile ‘Walk of Britain’

Several ex-servicemen and women injured in combat walk from Edinburgh to Buckingham Palace. They were greeted on their way by the Mayor of Beadale and members of RAF Leeming en route. Photo: Phil Dye.

RAF Leeming staff called into Bedale to show their support for the expedition.

The Walk of Britain team, which includes four British and two US wounded veterans, are walking 1,000 miles across mainland Britain to raise funds for the Walking With The Wounded charity.

RAF Leeming representatives welcomed the Walking With The Wounded team to Bedale alongside the town’s mayor Christine Mollard, Bedale High School students and local residents on day 18 of the expedition.

The Walk of Britain was given a heroes welcome in Bedale.

Team member Matt Fisher sustained a gunshot wound to the foot in 2009 on a routine patrol in Afghanistan and underwent amputation a year later. He said: “This is giving me lots of opportunities to mix with other people, to clear my head and work out what I want to do. This is the backbone of the charity, helping people like me get back into employment. Every penny raised on expeditions such as these goes straight back into the programmes that do that.

“Its good for me to see it happening for other people and to feel that I am contributing to help others like myself. The expeditions are the shop front of the charity and this is where we spread the word. There are a lot of aches, pains, sores and blisters and that will continue and probably get worse, but ultimately spirits are high.”

Squadron Leader Adrian Hall, Officer Commanding Logistics Squadron, RAF Leeming, said: “Meeting the team of former Royal Marines, British Army and US Marine Corps walkers was a humbling experience which was made even more inspirational when hearing their personal stories from both military operations and from the first 270 miles of their 1,000 mile walk.”

The expedition began in Scotland on August 22 and will finish at Buckingham Palace on November 1.

The Walking With The Wounded charity, which is supported by Prince Harry, provides funds for the re-training and re-education of injured servicemen and women. More information can be found at www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk.