Military housing charity Haig Housing Trust has announced that 100 Veterans and serving personnel (in a private capacity) will walk 100 miles from Ypres to the Cenotaph to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War…
The march from across the military community has been called ‘THE LONG WALK HOME’ and the journey will finish on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph.
Haig Housing was one of the organisers of the hugely successful Poppies at The Tower installation which raised millions for Veterans charities and is the country’s leading charity for military housing. The Long Walk Home has been planned as a mark of respect to those who died in the Great War and will raise funds for the charity. It is also an important milestone for Haig Housing as it was launched in memory of Earl Haig soon after the Great War.
Each of the walkers will be taken to Ypres in Belgium – scene of three major battles and Headquarters of the British salient in the First World War – where they will begin their 100 mile journey home. On day one they will walk from Ypres to the Belgian coast then by coach to Dover. Day two will continue from Dover to Faversham. The third day will bring the walkers to Gravesend, and the forth and final day will end in London where the walkers will stay before marching to the Cenotaph the following morning.
Along the route from Dover to central London the people of Kent are going to be asked to host two brave walkers overnight in a show of the ‘Dunkirk spirit’. It is hoped that the walkers will be joined along the route in November by the public, politicians and celebrities to raise awareness and raise funds for the charity.
Chief Executive of Haig Housing, Brigadier James Richardson MBE said: “Prime Minister Lloyd George campaigned to build homes fit for heroes and ever since Haig has striven to do just that. The Long Walk Home recognises the great sacrifice given by so many in that war and its pilgrimage to walk the route from Flanders to the Cenotaph to take part in the National Act of Remembrance by today’s Veterans will be a poignant commemoration. We hope that the public give support and encouragement to this event.”
Chairman of Cobseo, The Confederation of Service Charities, General Sir John McColl KCB CBE DSO said: “This poignant pilgrimage joins the memory of events in the British Salient around Ypres during WW1 with Whitehall and the Cenotaph where our National Remembrance is centred. The walkers will meet the challenge and hopefully be supported and encouraged along their route, raising awareness of Veterans’ housing issues. I wish them and the Trust every success.”
For more information please visit: www.tlwh.org.uk
