The International Four Day Marches Nijmegen (or Vierdaagse) is the largest marching event in the world. It is organised every year in Nijmegen, Holland in mid-July as a means of promoting sport and exercise.

Participants walk 40 kilometers daily, and, on completion, receive a royally approved medal (Vierdaagsekruis).

Military teams from all over the world take part, in full uniform and wearing at least a 10kg backpack.

This year, we are taking a team from the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is the receiving hospital for all the UK’s military patients from around the world, and we sadly see some horrific battlefield injuries.

A military patient might be at the hospital for many weeks or months, and that time is very stressful for them and their families.

The hospital charity is building an 18 bedroom “home away from home” for military patients and their families within walking distance of the hospital.

Named Fisher House, it will provide overnight accommodation for families, and enable patients to spend time away from the ward with families, friends and mates from their regiments.

We are marching to raise funds for Fisher House. With no government funding, every penny really will make a difference.

Please dig deep and support our injured troops.

Thank you for reading our page and for your donation.

Flight Lieutenant Nick Butler
Emergency Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital