WALK OF BRITAIN ARRIVES AT CATTERICK

The six wounded veterans walking 1,000 miles in ten weeks to raise money for Walking With The Wounded, received much-needed tea and cake at the Veterans Artisan Bakery, Catterick on…

The six wounded veterans walking 1,000 miles in ten weeks to raise money for Walking With The Wounded, received much-needed tea and cake at the Veterans Artisan Bakery, Catterick on Monday 7th September. Cause UK handled the media relations for their visit to The Beacon, The Riverside Supported Housing Scheme, with whom we have been working with since 2012.

On day 17 of their 71 day mammoth walk, the veterans walked with two former Riverside residents, Matthew Opie and Peter Pankhurst to Riverside’s The Beacon Veterans’ Centre, on their latest leg from Barnard Castle to Catterick.
The therapeutic bakery based at Riverside’s The Beacon Veterans’ Centre is manned by veterans who have been homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The ‘Walk Of Britain’ expedition started in Scotland on 22nd August and will finish at Buckingham Palace on 1st November.
The bakery is based at Riverside’s The Beacon – a thirty-one unit housing, training and support centre based near Catterick Garrison, providing specialist support to single homeless veterans from around the country.
The Riverside specialist housing support services are for ex-military personnel, who are at risk of homelessness or who have been homeless, some of the veterans housed at The Beacon suffer from PTSD, addiction and other mental health injuries.
Trevor Morris, MOD Area Manager for Riverside said, “At the Beacon we provide holistic support to veterans, helping them to find long term accommodation as well as access to health and well-being services such as counselling. We provide our veterans with up to 18 months of housing and access to training and employment. We also provide a helpline called SPACES, 01748 833797, for single people leaving any of the Armed Services who have no permanent home to go to. We work closely with Walking with the Wounded in regard to getting people into employment, and it’s a privilege to assist them in their fundraising journey.”
Edward Parker, CEO and Co-founder of Walking With The Wounded said, “We have been working in partnership with Riverside Housing for a couple of years now, whilst Riverside provide housing and support to veterans who often have hidden mental health injuries, we provide the support and training they need in order to move back into sustainable employment and regain their independence. We are thrilled the Walk Of Britain team will be visiting The Beacon and helping to throw the spotlight onto often complex and difficult areas to understand such as PTSD and other mental health injuries, which can be a daily struggle for some of our ex-service personnel.”
The Walk Of Britain is supported by Patron, HRH Prince Henry of Wales who said, “The Walk of Britain will give everyone the opportunity to meet these remarkable men and women. People up and down the country will get to see first-hand the determination and resolve of those who have served, and in particular those who have been injured or suffer hidden wounds. They will see that whatever their circumstances these men and women are looking to the future. They are looking to employers to give them the chance to keep making a contribution to our communities….The public’s support for our Armed Forces continues to be extraordinary. However, as the memory of our military commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan fade, we must encourage people to continue supporting our servicemen and women; particularly those who are seeking to transition into civilian life. This process can be challenging, as it is for anyone seeking a new career. As I make this transition myself, I’m determined to do all I can to help others.”

Picture Shows: The Walk Of Britain team: L-R: Stewart Hill, Matt Fisher, Scott Ransley, Kirstie Ennis, Andrew Bement and Alec Robotham with Ex-Riverside residents, Matthew Opie and Peter Pankhurst (Kneeling down).