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We are a group of ex military, family and friends, all ex rugby players who are raising funds for ABF The Soldiers Charity (South West) by taking part in #frontlinewalk in October 2018.
The event
Between 03-10 October 2018 we are taking part in the ‘Frontline Walk’ which seeks to raise funds for the Army Benevolent Fund - The Soldiers Charity. The Frontline Walk takes along the Western Front in France and Belgium and is a sponsored walk through all of the major battlefields of World War 1. The walk is 100km in three days.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the end of The Great war during which so many lives were lost. The walk takes place in the Somme and Ypres Salient areas of Northern France and Flanders and starts starts at the massive Lochnagar Crater on October 10th 2018, the scene of a 60,000lb underground explosion that started the Somme offensive and left a crater 30m deep and 100m wide. The walk ends at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres, Belgium for the ceremony of the Last Post 3 days later. The walk takes a route through the old WW1 Western Front battlefields where wreaths are laid in memory of the fallen at the countless War Grave Commission cemetaries.
The Charity
The Army Benevolent Fund was set up in 1944 to support soldiers, veterans their families and dependents in times of need. The charity seeks to provide assistance where it is needed through the various
regiments of the British Army and assist both serving soldiers and veterans, their families and dependants in times of need. This assistance comes in many ways from help in setting up businesses,
the purchase of prosthetic limbs, house modifications to accommodate wheel chair access and mobility issues, assisting those who suffer with mental health issues… the list goes on. In essence it exists to help those soldiers and veterans, and their families that need assistance, financial or otherwise as a result of their service.
It is estimated that for every soldier that returns from conflict with physical injuries, there are many more who suffer mental illness
as a result of their service. This is an illness that cannot be seen, but which the individual struggles with on a daily basis, and in many cases for the rest of their lives. There are by conservative estimates between
8,000 and 9,000 homeless servicemen in the UK living on the streets, many of whom suffer mental illness also, the largest single grouping amongst the homeless in the UK. The ABF aims to address this massive issue and provide the support they need through aid donated to regimental organisations. They also provide valuable assistance to
families and dependants of servicemen and veterans in times of need.
Our Goal
In completing this event, We have committed to raising £16,250
for the Army Benevolent Fund. With the generosity and benevolence of many people we hope to not only hit this target, but hopefully far exceed it.
Full details can be found at the ABF website-
https://www.soldierscharity.org/about-us/what-we-do
