Haig Housing has launched The Long Walk Home (TLWH), its fundraising pilgrimage to mark 100 years since the ending of World War One..
The charity will take 100 Veterans walkers from across the UK to Ypres, Belgium where they will then walk the 100 miles from the Menem Gate to the Cenotaph in Whitehall, timing this to coincide with the National Service of Remembrance on Sunday 11th November.
The event will draw its inspiration from the term The 100, not just with its walkers but by also recruiting accommodation hosts across Kent to put up the walkers overnight and in attracting 100 sponsors, 100 celebrities, politicians and VIPs, as well as of course, the Great British Public, so many of whom lost family a few generations back during the War.
The Trust is now recruiting walkers and other volunteers to help put on the event. Each walker, with the support of a sponsor, will be asked to fundraise a minimum £1000 (with an ideal target of £1918). All travel (apart from the walking bit!) and accommodation will be covered throughout the event and the hosts and other volunteers will play an important role too and be fully supported and recognised.
Now recruiting:
- 100 walkers who must be Veterans from the UK or a country that fought with the British during WW1 and be able to undertake individually at least 25 miles a day in possibly adverse weather conditions, across 4 consecutive days
- 150 hosts to provide transport to and from a designated collection point in Kent during the 3 days the Walk will cross the county, as well as an evening meal, overnight accommodation and breakfast for pairs of walkers. Twin rooms are fine and you can host for more than one evening so long as you are within reasonable travelling distance
- Medical & Welfare team: 5-6 to include one medical officer, one paramedic, one counselor and one physiotherapist
- Road Marshals: 10 to assist with road safety and liaison on the walk days, in both Belgium and England
- Headquarters team: 7-8 to include event management, drivers, runners and forward logistics support
- Logistics team: to contribute to the headquarters team plus also assist with equipment, meals and refreshments during the walk
- PR & Media team: 4 runners, 2 each for the headquarters team and to support the London media team (who will not be volunteers) including with VIP and celebrity management
- Fundraising team: 3-4 to support paid staff including with sponsorship and corporate liaison
Some volunteers will accompany the walkers while others will be based in London or, for one day, Dover.
For more information and to find an application form please visit the website here.
